You may have noticed that supermarkets are now displaying signs one particular aisle and it's causing shoppers to become rather confused.
In recent days news broke that the “largest ever outbreak” of bird flu was spreading and in a bid to keep everyone safe, hens must now be kept inside for a "months" despite having already spent four months indoors.
As a result, free range eggs will no longer be available on shop shelves.
But what is actually happening and what areas in Scotland have confirmed cases?
Why can supermarkets such as Morrisons and Aldi no longer sell free-range eggs?
At present supermarkets can no longer sell free-range eggs as hens must now be kept indoors just as they have been these last four months after bird flu began spreading in winter.
UK-wide measures to tackle the outbreak of avian flu were introduced in late November 2021 with bird keepers legally required to house poultry indoors, such as in large barns for commercial flocks.
Farmers who have to house their birds to protect human and animal health under Government rules are allowed to keep the free-range status for eggs for 16 weeks, a grace period which expired on Monday (March 21).
Because of this, it means that eggs sold in the UK must now be labelled as "barn eggs" rather than "free-range" until the mandatory housing rules are lifted.
You will notice in these aisles that there will be signs explaining what is happening - every store selling eggs must have this displaying the notice in-stores as well as online.
What is the difference between barn eggs and free-range eggs?
Barn-laid eggs comes from hens that have been housed in large barns however they are still able to roam around freely compared to caged hens.
In barn systems, perches are provided for roosting, as well as material to dust bathe and forage in, and nest boxes.
To be classed a free-range, hens need to have access to a free system where they are able to roam outside during the daytime hours.
According to the British Welfare Trust, EU laws require that free-range hens must always have access to an outside area with adequate vegetation during the daytime.
In both cases, the hens have access to freedom and space to move around, along with perches for roosting and nesting boxes.
When will free-range eggs be back in supermarkets?
At present no date has been set to relax these rules however it's hoped that retailers can reintroduce them to shelves once fresh outbreaks die down.
Outbreaks of the disease have been found in several areas across Scotland, with Defra reporting that nine areas across the country reported an outbreak.
Are there any bird flu outbreaks in Scotland?
According to the Scottish Government, the dead wild bird surveillance programme has identified cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a variety of wild bird species locations across Scotland.
These include:
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Argyll & Bute
- Ayrshire
- Clackmannanshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Dunbartonshire
- City of Edinburgh
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Glasgow City
- Highland
- Midlothian
- Moray
- North Lanarkshire
- Perth and Kinross
- Renfrewshire
- Scottish Borders
- South Lanarkshire
- Stirling
- West Lothian
What is being said about the outbreak so far?
An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: “We are experiencing our largest ever outbreak of avian flu and housing measures remain in force to protect poultry and other birds from this highly infectious and unpleasant disease.
“We continue to provide support for the poultry sector throughout this challenging time. The 16-week grace period we allowed for free range eggs has now been exceeded, and eggs must now be marketed as ‘barn eggs’.
“We have worked closely with the sector and retailers to implement these changes as smoothly as possible.”
National Farmers’ Union chief poultry adviser Aimee Mahony said that government advice was that there was still a high level of risk to birds from avian flu, which meant all birds must remain indoors until further notice.
She added: “This is an incredibly difficult time for all bird owners and vigilance remains vital.
“Poultry farmers continue to do all they can to ensure the health and welfare of their flocks, including following stringent biosecurity measures and adding additional enrichments to the bird’s environment such as pecking blocks and dust baths.
“Shoppers may notice different labels on egg packs as well as point-of-sale information explaining that the eggs have been laid by hens temporarily housed to protect their health and welfare.
"Once the risk levels have reduced and the housing measures have been lifted by Defra, birds will be able to go outside again."
