The NFU has stepped up to a campaign to push for continued free-range status for farmers whose birds are being kept indoors under bird flu protection measures.
 
The compulsory housing order introduced by the UK government, and several others in Europe in response to bird flu outbreaks in November and December, is due for reevaluation on 28th February, though if it is extended free-range producers will lose their status under EU rules.

European farm unions have lobbied EU authorities and the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has considered placing labels explaining the situation on egg packages or in stores.  On Tuesday NFU president Meurig Raymond wrote to the CEOs of Britain’s ten largest supermarket chains to ask for further support in the face of hardships brought about by the H5N8 bird flu outbreak.
 
Supermarkets have been sympathetic to bird keepers’ troubles so far. They have been informing customers on their websites and in-stores that free-range birds are being kept indoors under disease prevention rules. In his letter, Mr Raymond was seeking assurances that this support would continue, as the housing order may be extended without a derogation in place to protect the ‘free-range’ mark.
 
“To date we have welcomed the support and understanding of the country’s major retailers with this situation”, said Mr Raymond. “However, these are unprecedented times and I remain very concerned about the future of the free range poultry sector for both meat and egg products should the housing order remain in place without a derogation that enables producers to market those eggs and meat to market as free-range. Downgrading these products would have a huge impact on margins in the sector.”