Free-range producers are preparing to market their eggs as barn eggs from 21 March, after the avian influenza housing order, introduced on 29 November, is set to continue beyond 16 weeks.
A fixed 16-week ‘grace period’ exists during which eggs from birds which were intended to be free-range may be marketed as free-range even though they are housed.
The marketing of eggs as ‘free-range’, when they are not entitled to use that designation because hens have been housed, would be a breach of legislation. The law requires that an indication of the farming method must appear on the outer surface of packs containing the eggs in easily visible and clearly legible type.
From 21 March, egg producers are required to ensure that eggs are stamped with the appropriate code to show that the farming method has changed from ‘free-range’ or 1UK to ‘barn’ production or 2UK, until the mandatory housing requirement is lifted.
Industry must put in place one of the agreed options for marketing eggs laid on or after 21 March. These are, in order of preference:
- Eggs are to be sold in ‘barn egg’ boxes in order to clearly display the farming method of the eggs.
- “Over-stickering” free-range boxes by placing a sticker over the “free-range” text in order to obscure or interrupt it leaving the correct farming method (“barn eggs”) easily visible and clearly legible to the consumer. The over-lay sticker must be of suitable material to be affixed to allow for good adhesion and to prevent any labels dislodging before sale to the final consumer.
- In recognition of the challenges of Covid-19 and supply chain issues facing the industry, a further concession is granted to allow the use of direct print to pack or an affixed label on free-range boxes where the words “barn eggs” are included in the ‘Best Before’ section for domestic sales. The words “barn eggs” should be easily visible and clearly legible. This is the minimum option agreed for the current AI outbreak.