PRODUCERS may no longer be required to change how eggs are labelled during an outbreak of avian influenza under new proposals by the UK Government.
Currently, when mandatory housing measures are introduced, eggs from free-range birds may continued to be labelled as ‘free-range’ for 16 weeks. Following that period, the eggs must then be labelled as ‘barn eggs’.
The new proposals for England and Scotland would mean that eggs could continue to be labelled as free range throughout mandatory housing measures, in a move which the UK Government said would support British farmers.
Hoped to cut ‘unnecessary’ red tape and costs for British producers, the UK Government said that the move would also strengthen supply chains and helping deliver the government’s commitment to produce at least 60% of the food we eat in the UK.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is now a global threat and the scale of outbreaks in recent years across the UK and Europe have been unprecedented, with more than 360 cases confirmed across Britain since late October 2021.
In both 2021/22 and 2022/23 the 16-week derogation period was exceeded, which led to ‘significant’ costs for industry as egg packaging had to be changed to comply with legislation, the UK Government said.
Farming minister Mark Spencer said, “We understand the pressures bird flu outbreaks place on our poultry and egg producers, which is why we continue to prioritise ways to support the industry during outbreaks of this disease. I encourage all those with an interest to take part in this consultation to ensure that our free-range industry continues to thrive in years to come.”
Chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council, Gary Ford, added, “With the vast majority of eggs produced in the UK meeting free-range standards, the sector is very important to both British consumers and farmers. BEIC has been calling for an amendment to the egg marketing legislation to ensure that our free-range egg farmers can remain competitive and continue to provide British consumers with free-range eggs. This has become increasingly important due to the unprecedented levels of Avian influenza in recent years. The changes are essential to ensure a long-term future for British free-range eggs, which we know consumers want, and we strongly support the consultation.”
Chief executive of British Free Range Egg Producers Association, Robert Gooch, commented, “The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) is delighted that producers should be able to protect their hens from the risk of bird flu by housing their hens in accordance with government requirements without having to relabel their eggs, as a result of this consultation. It would also align the free range egg marketing rules with the European Union, which is important as it means that British producers will be on a level playing field with European farmers.”
