Free range eggs can be put back on the shelves in Liverpool today as restrictions were relaxed. Measures which were introduced to curb bird flu cases which meant all chickens had to be kept indoors have been dropped.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the mandatory housing course of action, which was introduced in late November 2021 following an outbreak of avian flu, will now be scrapped. Hens are allowed back outside meaning that free-range labelling can return to shelves.
Since March, the eggs have been classified as “barn eggs” in supermarkets due to the length of time birds had been kept inside. Free-range eggs come from hens that have unlimited outdoors access during the daytime.
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In a joint statement, the four chief veterinary officers said: “Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe.
“It is thanks to the hard work of all bird keepers and vets, who have played their part in keeping flocks safe this winter, that we are in a position to take this action. However, the recent cases of avian influenza show that it’s more important than ever for bird keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity.”
It is expected the free-range eggs will start to appear on shelves within a few days. However, eggs laid before then that are still labelled as “barn eggs” may take a few days to sell. The UK has faced its largest-ever outbreak of bird flu with more than 100 cases confirmed across the country since late October. The RSPCA says about 55% of all eggs produced in the UK are free-range.
