Egg labelling changes have been introduced for poultry that have
had to be housed due to avian influenza.
From today (Wednesday 1 February), eggs originating from free
range flocks in the east of England (Norfolk, Suffolk and parts
of Essex) will need to be labelled as barn eggs. The concession
will apply to the rest of England from the 27th February. This in
line with Egg Marketing Standards Regulations. The commencement
date marks the end of the 16-week grace period given after the
introduction of a regional (12 October 2022) and subsequent
national mandatory housing order (7 November 2022).
In recognition of current elevated input costs facing the
industry along with the impacts of AI, Defra will allow the same
packaging concessions that were granted last year. This means
where other options are not feasible, such as over-stickering or
marketing eggs in “barn reared” egg boxes, industry will be
allowed the use of direct print to pack or an affixed label on
free-range boxes to communicate to consumers that the eggs have
come from hens that are now barn reared.
Over the last two years, the United Kingdom has faced its largest
ever outbreak of avian influenza with over 300 cases confirmed
since late October 2021 of which over 270 have been in England.
The enhanced biosecurity measures including housing mandated by
the Avian Influenza Prevention
Zone (AIPZ) currently in force in England have been vital in
protecting flocks across the country from avian influenza.
Housing combined with stringent biosecurity measures provide
greater risk reduction and together these measures have been key
in driving the avian influenza case rate down in the face of
unprecedented wild bird infections.
The labelling will remain in place until the housing order is
lifted.
Farming Minister said:
Farmers and poultry producers are facing real pressures as a
result of this avian influenza outbreak. We hope the labelling
concessions announced today will help ease the burden industry is
facing.
We are very mindful of the need to maintain consumer confidence
in the free-range brand long-term and appreciate the continued
cooperation from the sector as we battle this insidious disease.
As required by the legislation, an indication of the farming
method must continue to appear on the outer surface of packs
containing the eggs in easily visible and clearly legible
type. Eggs must also be stamped with the appropriate code
to show that the farming method has changed from ‘free-range’ or
1UK to ‘barn’ production or 2UK. Eggs should not be stamped with
two codes.
Industry must put in place one of the requirements for marketing
eggs laid on or after the expiry of the 16-week derogation below.
These are, in order of preference:
- Eggs are to be sold in “barn egg” boxes in order to clearly
display the farming method of the eggs.
- Over-stickering “free-range” boxes by placing a sticker over
the “free-range” text in order to obscure or interrupt it leaving
the correct farming method (“Barn Eggs”) easily visible and
clearly legible to the consumer. The over-lay sticker must be of
suitable material to be affixed to allow for good adhesion and to
prevent any labels dislodging before sale to the final consumer.
- The use of direct print to pack or an affixed label on
free-range boxes where the words “Barn Eggs” are included in the
‘Best Before’ section for domestic sales. The words “Barn Eggs”
should be easily visible and clearly legible.
Clear and transparent Point of Sale (POS) signage is also crucial
to ensure consumers are not misled, and to avoid undermining
consumer confidence in the free-range industry.
This announcement follows new government support for the poultry
industry announced last
October, allowing compensation to be paid to farmers from the
outset of planned culling rather than at the end. This enables us
to provide swifter payments to help stem any cash flow pressures
and give earlier certainty about entitlement to compensation
assisting farmers and producers with the impacts of bird flu.
All poultry and captive birds must be housed in
England until further notice. Bird keepers are required to
shut their birds indoors and implement strict biosecurity
measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian
influenza, regardless of whatever type or size. Introducing these
steps on farm is the most effective way in reducing the risk of
disease spreading. The disease could kill your birds if these
actions aren’t taken.
These measures will remain in place until further notice and will
be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to
monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
Public health advice is that viruses currently circulating in
birds in the UK do not spread easily to people and food standards
bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety
risk for UK consumers. Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick
birds that you find and instead report them using the online reporting system or
Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
More information on the current bird flu outbreak can be found in
our rolling news
story.
