The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) has welcomed the decision to implement prevention zones in England and Scotland in response to the rapid spread of avian influenza (AI) across Europe, describing the move as “a necessary step”.
“The risk of infection is from wild migratory birds who are leaving cold weather feeding grounds and could head to the UK, carrying with them the potential to bring the H5N8 strain to our shores,” said BFREPA chief executive, Robert Gooch (pictured above).
“It would be devastating for a British producer to have to go through the heartbreak of seeing their entire flock wiped out by this virus as we have already seen in continental Europe.
“Housing birds presents significant challenges to free range egg producers but they understand that it is important to reduce the risk of AI spreading.
“It’s crucial for consumers to remember that AI is not a food safety issue and free range eggs will remain a nutritious staple of British diets.”
