By Nick Allen, chief executive, British Egg Industry Council
There are few things more important to the egg industry than consumer confidence. That is why the current Salmonella outbreak, which health authorities are investigating in connection with eggs imported into the UK, is so concerning.
The investigation is ongoing and it is important that the authorities establish the full facts. But there is a bigger question that Government can no longer afford to ignore: how many warnings does it need before it takes action on the standards and controls applied to imported eggs?
At the latest count, 474 people had fallen ill, with two people having died and 38% of those for whom hospital information is available requiring hospital care. Investigations have identified potential links between the outbreaks and imported eggs, with cases associated with eating out at small cafés, restaurants and takeaways. There is no currently identified link to UK-produced eggs or poultry.
The investigation must run its course. But these findings should prompt some serious questions about how we manage food safety in an increasingly globalised food chain.
The British Egg Industry Council has repeatedly raised concerns with Government about imported eggs and egg products, including food safety, border controls and the differences between the standards British producers are required to meet and those applying to some imports.
We have not simply raised concerns. We have produced evidence. Our Shell Shocked report set out the risks associated with imported eggs and called for stronger border controls, systematic testing and equivalent standards for imports.
Despite repeated warnings, growing imports and now an active investigation into outbreaks that health officials say may be linked to imported eggs, the concerns we have highlighted remain unaddressed.
This has to change.
British egg producers have invested heavily in food safety over many years. Through the British Lion scheme, producers operate under mandatory Salmonella vaccination requirements, robust traceability and independent auditing. These are not optional extras. They represent a significant investment by British farmers in protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in our industry.
That investment comes at a cost. British producers should not be expected to meet a higher level of assurance while competing with imported eggs and egg products produced under different regulatory requirements. If we are serious about food safety, we also need to be serious about creating a level playing field.
The current outbreak brings that argument into sharp focus. This is not about closing the door to legitimate trade. Imported food must meet UK food safety requirements, and the authorities must continue to establish what happened in this outbreak.
The British egg industry has done its part. Under the British Lion Code of Practice we vaccinate, audit, trace and maintain rigorous standards with more than 700 auditable points, because we believe that is what consumers deserve.
Government now needs to do its part.
We need to ensure imported eggs and egg products meet equivalent food safety standards, backed by effective border controls and appropriate testing.
For consumers and food businesses, there is also a clear message. Look for the British Lion mark. The FSA confirms that UK produced eggs carrying the British Lion mark are safe to eat, including raw or lightly cooked for vulnerable groups.
That confidence has been earned by British producers through years of investment and hard work. It should not be undermined by a system that allows different standards and levels of assurance to compete in the same marketplace.
The British egg industry will continue to press the Government for action. We will continue to make the case for equivalent standards, stronger controls and a genuinely level playing field.
This outbreak should be a wake-up call. When an industry repeatedly warns about a food safety risk, produces evidence to support those warnings, and then sees those concerns reflected in a serious outbreak investigation, the answer cannot simply be another statement.
It is time for Government to listen. And time for it to act.