Free range eggs will no longer be available in shops due to a devastating outbreak of bird flu on UK farms and among wild birds, which has forced farmers to move their birds indoors in recent months.
Why are there no free-range eggs in the UK?
Under EU law, free-range laying hens can be kept indoors for a maximum period of 16 weeks for their eggs to still be labelled free-range. However, that period expired on 21 March when it was announced that free-range eggs will be labelled ”barn eggs”, or the name given to eggs produced by permanently indoor birds.
Why is there a shortage of free-range eggs?
It said the pressure on egg supply had been caused by several factors: “These include hens lost as a result of avian flu; cost of production rises, which mean that producers are struggling to break even; a reduction in the number of colony hens as retailers move towards cage free; and strong demand from consumers.”
Why are supermarkets not selling free-range eggs?
Regulators typically strip eggs of their “free-range status” if the animals are kept inside for more than 16 weeks. This had previously been 12 weeks but was extended in 2018. New laws were brought in last November to ensure farmers kept their chickens indoors over the “largest ever outbreak of avian flu”.
Is it OK to eat free-range eggs now?
A spokesperson for The Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told The Guardian : “The 16-week grace period we allowed for free-range eggs has now been exceeded, and eggs must now be marketed as ‘barn eggs.
Why will there be no free-range eggs from Monday?
Customers will no longer be able to buy free-range eggs in supermarkets across the UK from Monday after British hens spent the last four months indoors due to the risk of avian flu outbreaks.
Why are Sainsburys not selling free-range eggs?
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The 16-week grace period we allowed for free-range eggs has now been exceeded, and eggs must now be marketed as ‘barn eggs’. “We have worked closely with the sector and retailers to implement these changes as smoothly as possible.”
Can you buy free-range eggs in UK now?
Currently eggs cannot be classed as free-range because the birds are kept indoors permanently.
Why are Lidl still selling free-range eggs?
The move – which Lidl said was the first by a discounter – “reinforced” its commitment to the welfare and conditions in which hens are housed, it claimed, and built on the retailer’s “existing pledge to work with suppliers to phase out the sale of eggs from caged hens in stores by 2025”.
Are Tesco free-range eggs really free-range?
Our freshly laid eggs come from selected farms where hens are free to roam and forage on open pastures from dawn to dusk, and are safely housed in barns overnight. These free range eggs come from producers inspected to RSPCA welfare standards by the RSPCA’s independently certified farm assurance scheme.
What’s better than free-range eggs?
Pasture-raised
Animal Welfare Approved offer the highest level of animal welfare. Their logo means that egg-producing hens are pasture-raised and have: at least 1.8 square feet of indoor floor space each. continuous access to a vegetation-covered outdoor area in which to roam and forage.
What are the disadvantages of free-range eggs?
What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Range Eggs?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| The ability to practise a range of natural behaviours, including nesting, foraging for food, perching, and dust bathing. | An increased likelihood of feather pecking, infighting, social stresses, and cannibalism. |
Are Asda eggs really free-range?
As of today, all major supermarkets including ASDA, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl and M&S are not selling free-range eggs.
Are Waitrose free-range eggs really free-range?
ALL our eggs are FREE RANGE
They’re kept in houses at night, with access to perches and pecking spots. We haven’t sold eggs laid by caged hens since 2001 and in 2008, we became the first UK supermarket to sell only free range. It’s this kind of long-term commitment that wins Waitrose awards for its farming.
When can chickens go out 2022?
From 00:01 on Monday 2nd May 2022, The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, has announced that the mandatory housing measures will be lifted. We know that everyone is very excited about this news and we can’t wait to see everyone’s hens finally enjoying the sun on their backs again.
Where do Sainsburys free-range eggs come from?
Our free range eggs come from hens with access to established woodland or where trees have been planted to enrich the range and provide natural cover. This encourages them to range more and live fuller, more active lives exploring and foraging beneath the trees.
Where do Aldi get their eggs from?
Farmlay
Supplying free range and organic eggs to Aldi, Farmlay believe in ensuring the best conditions for their hens, and are committed to the highest levels of bird welfare. This not only makes a happy life for the hens but also better eggs for their customers. “All around us here on the farm are happy, contented hens.
Are organic eggs better than free-range UK?
Many people choose to buy free range eggs with the best of intentions. However, only buying organic guarantees you a high welfare hen, and eggs that are free from chemical nasties. Organic hens get 10m2 of pasture per bird. Inside the houses, a maximum density of 6 birds per m2 is permitted.
Which eggs are truly free-range UK?
On the label
All eggs sold in the UK by producers with more than 50 birds must be stamped and marked on the box with their production method: 0 is organic, 1 is free-range, 2 is barn and 3 is caged.
Is Aldi free range chicken really free-range?
With the freedom to roam around in grassy paddocks, forage, dust bathe and express their natural behaviour, Aldi’s free-range chickens are a slower growing breed. You will find free-range corn fed chicken breast fillets, free-range corn fed chicken thigh fillets and also free-range corn fed whole chickens.
Where do Lidl get their eggs?
Woodcote. We source our Woodcote eggs as locally as possible, and all our hens are reared in the UK to high welfare standards.