Defra has announced the lifting of a mandatory housing order that will see 27 million organic and free range hens permitted outside again from 2nd May.
All captive birds have been kept inside since November to protect them from avian influenza (AI). In accordance with EU marketing legislation, all eggs from free range and organic flocks have been re-labelled as barn eggs since 21st March.
NFU poultry board chair James Mottershead said: “Poultry farmers have worked incredibly hard to minimise the threat of AI and it will be a great relief that they can now allow their birds outdoor access again.
“While the threat of AI has reduced, it is still incredibly important that everyone who keeps birds remains vigilant and continues to follow enhanced biosecurity measures. This is crucial whether you are a commercial farmer with thousands of birds or a backyard keeper with one hen in the garden.”
‘Retailers are culpable’
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) welcomed the news, but said egg producers were still at breaking point because of soaring costs of production.
The Association said rising inflation is having “devastating consequences on free range egg production in the UK” and is likely to result in “a mass exodus” of the industry unless retailers increase the costs of eggs in store, and pass that increase down to farmers.
BFREPA is campaigning for an increase of at least 40p per dozen to be implemented immediately – 80p per dozen for organic eggs – and has written to the eight major food retailers in the UK to act before businesses go bust.
The organisation said Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose are all culpable for the desperate situation, and that they are the only ones in the supply chain who can make a difference.
It has also called a Crisis Summit for 10th May and invited representatives from each retailer to attend to discuss how to resolve the issue.
Far from over
BFREPA CEO Robert Gooch said: “It’s really good news that shoppers will soon have free range eggs available on the shelves, and British farmers are extremely grateful to consumers for continuing to buy eggs from these flocks even though they have been temporarily re-classified as barn eggs.
“But while it’s a relief to my members, lifting the housing order does not solve the crisis facing the egg sector. It will not remove the huge hikes in energy, transport, feed and labour costs they are experiencing.”
He added: “The picture is bleak – a recent survey of our members suggested 51% of free range and organic egg farmers were considering exiting the industry. Even a small number coming out of egg production would lead to egg shortages which we predict will come later this year.”
