AFTER years of argument - and with avian 'flu now in Europe - members of the European parliament have at lasted voted to impose more humane conditions on poultry "factory" farmers.

They also want non-EU farmers who send imports into the union to face higher standards, although some members think the likelihood of these rules being observed are pretty slim.

The new rules would give caged poultry more room, non-flickering lights, lower humidity and cooler air if outside temperatures are more than 30C.

However, even if the European Commission accepts the new rules - which will probably be opposed by the French and other agricultural nations - the new system would not be introduced until 2013.

However, UKIP members in the debate doubted that it would be possible to enforce such provisions on imports from non-EU countries.