January 15, 2024

UK producers not required to change egg labelling during bird flu outbreak, based on proposal

UK 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 UK government on January 9.

Currently, when mandatory housing measures are introduced, eggs from free-range birds may continue to be labelled as 'free-range' for 16 weeks - the existing 'derogation' 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 on the same day – subject to an eight-week consultation – will amend the regulations to remove the 'derogation' 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 UK government's commitment to continue to produce at least 60% of the food residents consume in the United Kingdom.

In both 2021/22 and 2022/23 periods, 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.

"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," said the chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council, Gary Ford. "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".

"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," said Robert Gooch, chief executive of BFREPA. "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."

The consultation launched on January 9 will run for eight weeks until March 5.

- GOV.UK