Indonesia issues animal welfare regulation, paving the way for cage-free egg growth

INDONESIA –  Indonesia has formally strengthened its animal welfare framework with the issuance of Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) No. 32 of 2025, a move expected to accelerate the development of cage-free egg production and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s livestock sector at home and abroad.

Issued by the Government of Indonesia, the regulation establishes a clear legal basis for implementing animal welfare principles across livestock management systems, including poultry. 

It comes as rising food demand and shifting consumer expectations push producers to balance productivity with ethical and sustainable practices.

Speaking at an online event on 31st December 2025, I Ketut Wiratha, Director of Veterinary Public Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, said animal welfare has become integral to the future of food systems. 

“Animal welfare is not merely a moral issue, but an essential element in safeguarding food quality and ensuring the sustainability of the livestock sector,” he said. 

He added that animal welfare is closely linked to productivity, food safety and public trust, while also forming part of Indonesia’s global commitments under the One Health framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Certification and capacity building take centre stage

Following the regulation’s issuance, the government will develop technical guidelines for animal welfare certification and prepare human resources to support implementation.

Certification will be carried out by local governments through agencies responsible for livestock and animal health.

A key priority will be the training and deployment of auditors across regions to ensure animal welfare practices are widely and practically adopted. 

According to Wiratha, the certification process is expected to open new market opportunities and improve the competitiveness of Indonesian livestock products, particularly cage-free eggs, in both domestic and international markets.

The regulation also responds to growing public scrutiny of how animals are raised and slaughtered. 

Wiratha noted that consumers are becoming increasingly critical, making continuous education and oversight along the food production chain essential to shifting attitudes and behaviour toward higher welfare standards.

Scientific and market momentum behind cage-free systems

The welfare case for cage-free systems has been reinforced by scientific evidence. Septa Walyani, DVM, MSc, Head of the Animal Welfare Implementation Team at the Directorate of Veterinary Public Health, previously explained that cage-free systems allow laying hens to express natural behaviours, a core indicator of animal welfare. 

She said studies show such systems can reduce stress and disease risks, lowering the need for antibiotics and supporting global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, speaking in Jakarta on Thursday (11/12/2025).

These findings are consistent with data from the European Food Safety Authority, which reported higher Salmonella risks in battery cage systems. 

An analysis of 5,000 farms across 24 countries found Salmonella contamination levels in cage-free farms were up to 25 times lower for certain strains.

Industry and consumer trends are also aligning with the regulation. Sandi Dwiyanto, Sustainable Poultry Program Manager at Lever Foundation, said the policy “sends a strong signal to industry stakeholders that animal welfare is increasingly integrated with market demands and global corporate commitments.”

A July 2025 consumer survey by Lever Foundation and GMO Research found 72% of respondents believe businesses should exclusively use cage-free eggs, while 71% were willing to pay a 10–40% premium. 

The shift is already visible, with global and local companies in Indonesia, including KFC, Burger King, Nestlé, Hyatt, and Swiss-Belhotel International, committing to cage-free egg sourcing, underscoring the regulation’s potential to reshape the country’s egg industry.

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