Proposed changes to egg labelling rules support British industry
Producers will no longer need to change how eggs are labelled during housing orders, saving farmers from costly labelling
Producers will no longer need to change how eggs are labelled during an outbreak of avian influenza under proposals planned to support British farmers set out by the 바카라 사이트 today (Tuesday 9 January 2024).聽
Currently, when mandatory housing measures are introduced, eggs from free-range birds may continue to be labelled as 바카라 사이트榝ree-range바카라 사이트� for 16 weeks - the existing聽바카라 사이트榙erogation바카라 사이트� period under the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations. After that period, these eggs must then be labelled as barn eggs.
The proposals for England and Scotland announced today 바카라 사이트� 바카라 사이트� will amend the Regulations to remove the 바카라 사이트榙erogation바카라 사이트� period, meaning that free-range eggs can stay labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.
The proposals aim to cut unnecessary red tape and costs for British producers while also strengthening supply chains and helping deliver the 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 commitment to continue 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 Great 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.
Farming Minister Spencer said:
바카라 사이트淲e 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.聽
바카라 사이트淚 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.바카라 사이트�
Chief Executive of the British Egg Industry Council, Gary Ford said:
바카라 사이트淲ith 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.聽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 consultation바카라 사이트�.
Chief Executive of British Free Range Egg Producers Association, Robert Gooch said:
바카라 사이트淭he 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 바카라 사이트 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.바카라 사이트�
The launched today (Tuesday 9 January 2024) will run for 8 weeks until 5 March 2024.
More information on the current bird flu outbreak can be found on our latest situation page.