RSPCA Assured has confirmed that its delayed requirement for natural daylight to enter free-range poultry houses through popholes will come into force on 1 December 2026.
Standard E6.4 requires free-range hens to have access to natural daylight through their popholes when birds are required to remain indoors during daylight hours, such as during government-imposed housing measures for avian influenza.
The requirement applies to flocks placed from 1 December 2026. Flocks already housed before that date will not need to comply for the remainder of that flock’s cycle.
RSPCA Assured says producers can meet the requirement by using clear material, such as acrylic, over popholes while birds are housed, allowing daylight to enter while preventing hens from accessing the range.
The standard was originally scheduled to take effect in October 2025 but was paused in June 2025 while industry case studies and guidance were considered.
RSPCA Assured has now confirmed that the implementation date has been reinstated, while the implementation dates for its other natural daylight requirements, E6.2 and E6.3, remain unchanged.
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association has previously raised concerns about the practical and welfare implications of the requirement.