'Free-range' British eggs could disappear from supermarkets next month

Depending on the government's orders for residence of avian influenza, there is a possibility that "free-range" eggs will disappear from the supermarket shelves next month.

Since December, poultry in the UK has been kept in the barn under emergency measures to prevent the spread of fatal diseases.

So far meat and eggs qualified for free are being protected, but by the end of February they will be inside for 12 weeks. In other words, it can not be sold as free feed under EU law.

Eggs and poultry from previously released farms will be labeled again as "barn eggs" for sale if it is forbidden to extend the bird's residence order until March, It is a cheaper one fifth.

According to food rural areas, about half of the eggs sold at supermarkets are free in the UK and about 5% of the chickens are free-handed.

Meri Greymond, farmers' association chairman, warned that re-labeling would lead to great dislocation and disappointment for shoppers.

"If the producer has to restore the label of the barn egg, this could potentially confuse the consumer.The demand for free-born eggs has been great for the past five years, but for farmers I am concerned about it, it is very expensive, but I may not be able to charge it any more. "

The farmers in the Netherlands recently lost their appeal to the EU and extended the 12 week rule. They are now re-labeling free-range eggs and poultry from pastures

According to the veterinarian, the animals kept indoors for more than 12 weeks were much smaller and inferior in health than those allowed to freely roam.

Yesterday the farm association warned that hundreds of farmers could be unemployed as free-living poultry and eggs occupy a very large premium in the supermarket, as the unlabeled labels are gone.

Now, if the order to keep livestock breeding until March, the NFU urges the European authorities to expand their peer status to avoid bird flu.

So far, thousands of birds have been eliminated, they continue to contain this problem and continue to spread throughout Europe and the UK.

A spokeswoman for NFU says,

In the past 25 years the demand for free eggs and poultry has increased significantly, and we hope that our producers can offer those products to them. "

Since half of the population of sheep in our country is open-minded and accounts for the highest proportion among all the member countries, there is no doubt that the UK market will be one of the most affected countries of avian influenza.

"If these measures are not taken to protect the industry, producers are faced with a real prospect that they may fail, and the UK market has a free product they need I will not be able to enjoy it. "

Deflas spokesperson said he was negotiating with the union and said he was considering "a series of options" but they refuse to disclose what these are.

Some supporters believe that free-range eggs are acceptable as substitutes for eggs raised in the factory. Free laying laying hens can enter the outdoors instead of being pushed into the cage. The problem of the condition of living conditions of free-living chickens occurs in the United States because there is no legal definition or regulation of eggs marked as free-lying. In the United States, the general public is increasingly concerned about animal welfare and encourages various egg producers to promote eggs on various criteria. The most widely used standards are determined by United Egg Producers through a voluntary certification program. The Joint Egg Producer Program contains guidelines on housing, food, water, air, living space, pruning, suede, handling and transportation, but opponents such as The Humane Society, UEP certification Misunderstanding, abuse of animals not tested

If you have bought eggs at the supermarket, you might face such a problem: will I buy ordinary, cheap eggs, or better organic / caged eggs? If you want something human-like, how do you know which farms really handle their chickens and which farms just smoke and mirror vomiting? Simple answer: Yes, you should buy a cageless egg. But purchasing organic eggs and eggs is not noticeable. When shopping, please be sure to look for "certified humanization" and even better "egg animal welfare certification" sticker. If you like egg products, they are your best choice, but I'd like to make sure that laying hens are handled well.