Today, supermarket shelves will see free range eggs once again be available after the six-month-long bird flu epidemic was finally over.
The products were labeled or tagged with stickers in recent weeks to indicate that they are ‘barn eggs’, as the birds must be kept inside.
Today, however, will see shoppers able to once more get free range eggs. They come from hens who have unlimited outside access during daylight hours. Ministers lifted the restrictions.
Recent weeks have seen labels or stickers on the products identifying them as “barn eggs” as they have been used to house birds inside.
After ministers removed the restriction, customers will be able once more to get free-range eggs. These eggs come from hens that have unlimited access outside in the daytime.
Following an outbreak of Avian Flu, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEEPFA) introduced these measures late in November.
According to the Food Standards Agency, avian flu poses very little food safety risk. They have not modified their advice regarding poultry products.
The threat of bird flu is now lower than it was for buildings with low biosecurity. However, additional requirements to safeguard flocks from this outbreak – such as cleaning and disinfecting clothing and vehicles, and limiting the access to people not essential – remain in place for the next several weeks according to Defra.
The four chief veterinarian officers stated in a joint statement that while the removal of mandatory housing will be a welcome development for bird keepers and other wildlife keepers, strict biosecurity is still the best form of defense to keep your birds safe.
“It’s because of the hard work and dedication of all birdkeepers and vets who kept flocks safe during winter that we can take these steps.
“However, recent cases of Avian Influenza show that bird keepers must be vigilant for any signs of the disease and adhere to strict biosecurity standards.
Although the British Free Range Egg Producers Association was happy with this news, they said that egg producers are still in crisis due to rising production costs.
Robert Gooch CEO, BFREPA stated that “It is really good news” that consumers will soon be able to purchase free-range eggs. British farmers were extremely thankful to the customers who continue to buy eggs from their flocks even after they are reclassified to barn eggs.
“But, while it is a relief for my members. Lifting the housing order doesn’t solve the crisis facing egg sector. This will not stop the massive rises in energy and transport costs, as well as feed, and labour cost increases they’re experiencing.
‘The picture is bleak – a recent survey of our members suggested 51% of free range and organic egg farmers were considering exiting the industry. A small amount of eggs would be removed from egg production, which could lead to shortages later this year.
Poultry farmer Llyr Jones told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme this morning he was spending an extra £400 on feed – a 40% increase on his normal costs – as a result of increasing pressures.