The compulsory housing order placed on poultry under bird flu prevention measures introduced by several EU states’ governments means there could soon be a shortage of free range eggs and poultry in Europe.  

In the UK, the Chief Vet’s compulsory housing order, which was extended in light of outbreaks in early January, will be reviewed on 28th February. However, by this time, a 12-week period of housing will have passed after which poultry will no longer qualify as free-range.

Eggs from these housed systems will be downgraded to ‘barn produced’, unless the rules are waived in light of the bird flu outbreak, and the loss of free-range status would mark a significant loss of value for poultry farmers.

This week, presidents from the UK’s four largest farm unions are meeting with MEPs and EU decision-makers to push for a change in the rules governing free-range status, in light of the impacts bird flu is having on the sector. The union leaders are asking that an extension be given to free range eggs and poultry meat and that this lasts until the risk from H5N8 bird flu, currently circulating throughout much of Europe, subsides. .

In a joint statement late on Tuesday, the farm union chiefs said, “With this outbreak of avian influenza, we are in uncharted territory and this situation requires new measures that will help to solve the concerns of producers. [We] are calling on MEPs and EU decision-makers to extend the 12 week period on free-range status until the risk has subsided to previous levels.

“The UK market will, without doubt, be one of the most affected countries as a result of bird flu, due to half of our national flock being free-range, by far the highest percentage of any member state.”

The presidents claimed that farmers in the UK are facing “The very real prospect” of going out of business unless an extension is secured. They said, “British farmers have been quick to introduce enhanced biosecurity measures and have ensured that the welfare of their birds remains an absolute priority.”

The EU’s umbrella farm group Copa-Cogeca has also pushed for solutions to the problems facing poultry farmers, as the bird flu threat in Europe enters its third month. Meanwhile, the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has mooted putting stickers or other information on packs of free-range eggs, explaining the current situation to customers, if the housing order remains in place.