People buying free-range eggs across the UK have actually been buying eggs from chickens kept in barns since November, DEFRA says. An outbreak of avian flu means all birds have had to be kept indoors since the end of last year.
DEFRA says there is no risk to humans from eating eggs or chicken, but in order to slow the spread of avian flu birds have to be kept inside. Despite the rule, shops have been allowed to keep selling eggs marked as 'free range' until today, March 21.
But now the eggs have to be labelled 'barn eggs' instead of 'free range' - this can be via a sticker added to the box. The eggs have to carry a different stamp, and there should be clear advice telling shoppers what they are buying. A 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.“
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force across Great Britain on 3 November 2021, and in Northern Ireland on 17 November 2021, with additional housing measures coming into force across the UK on 29 November 2021. These measures mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) to keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
Poultry keepers who are required by Government to house their birds to protect public and animal health can retain their free-range status so long as their birds are not housed for more than 12 weeks for meat and 16 weeks for eggs, provided they meet all other requirements. The grace period is applied on a per-flock basis.
That means free-range chicken meat has been off-sale for some time. In fact most free-range chickens are slaughtered after eight weeks - meaning no UK fresh free-range meat has been available since the start of the year
The AIPZ requirements including housing measures will remain in force until further notice. However, the measures will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza. Any decisions on when to lift or amend the AIPZs will be based on risk assessments containing the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.
Given the mandatory housing measures are still in force and have exceeded the 16-week grace period (as of 21 March), eggs should now be marketed as ‘barn eggs’, and not ‘free-range’, until the mandatory housing measures are lifted.
Eggs must 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.
Free-range egg packs can continue to be used, but the words “Barn Eggs” must be shown on pack, either via an over-sticker or a direct print/affixed label.
Clear and transparent consumer information is required at the point of sale, via in store signage, social media and web-based communication to ensure consumers are aware of the changes to farming methods and reasons for the housing measures.
