2017
Stuart Agnew MEP joins UK egg industry representatives in condemning the European bureaucracy that could mean the impending loss
of free range eggs from British supermarkets. Under emergency measures intended
to protect flocks against avian flu, all UK free range chickens are currently
being housed to reduce potential contact with migrating wild birds. If this
housing period extends beyond 12 weeks, under EU rules these chickens will no
longer be allowed to be called “free range” and their eggs sold as “barn reared”
instead.
As Mr Agnew explains, “Whilst the technical standards are absolutely
essential to allow consumers to have confidence in free range eggs and chicken
meat, I think British consumers are more than capable of understanding that a
temporary housing order for these animals own protection is an exceptional
situation. Unlike barn reared birds, free range birds will be allowed outdoors
again as soon as the danger has passed. That is a fundamental
difference”.
"One irony is that organic chickens, supposedly a higher welfare standard
than free range, are only required to spend "at least one third" of their lives
outdoors. As a result, organic eggs in the UK will still be sold as organic even
if they have been temporarily housed for periods in excess of 12
weeks.
"The double standard is confusing for customers and downright unfair for
our dedicated free range chicken farmers” says Mr Agnew.
"Poultry farmers do not receive EU subsidies like other farmers, so any
impact on the slim margins they are paid for eggs could be devastating for their
businesses and extremely difficult for the egg retail and manufacturing sectors
to cope with.
"We urgently need clarity and some common sense on this from the
Commission, or a lead from Trading Standards in the UK. Give us a temporary
derogation on the 12 week indoor housing rule before the free range eggs run
out".
