May 13, 2008

Over-strict standards clogging UK free-range eggs supply
 

Over-strict RSPCA standards on stocking density are causing difficulties among British poultry farmers to meet the rapidly rising demand for free-range eggs.
 
The EU policy has a maximum stocking density of 2,500 birds per hectare for free-range layers but RSPCA Freedom Food regulation, which is adhered to by UK supermarkets, has a maximum stocking density of 1,000 birds per hectare, according to a report by Farmers Guardian. 

This places an extra burden on poultry farmers as they are stopped from expanding production to meet rising demand while imports would be encouraged, according to Robert Newberry, chief poultry adviser for the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Currently, NFU is in talks with RSPCA over increasing the stocking density to 2,000 birds per hectare so that British poultry farmers would be able to meet the demand for free-range eggs.

According to the Farmers Guardian report, RSPCA farm animal scientist Alice Clark said the group would listen to all new evidence.