Farmers blame EU red tape for UK relabelling free range eggs

The new labelling rules took effect for eggs originating from Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex yesterday, and will apply to those from the rest of England from Feb 27. Farmers have been told to keep hens indoors.

All poultry and captive birds have been under housing orders in England since November, with a similar order issued across Wales a month later.

The UK has faced its worst-ever outbreak of avian influenza over the last two years, with more than 300 cases confirmed since October 2021, according to government figures. Some 270 of those were in England.

James Mottershead, chairman of the National Farmers Union poultry board, said the sector has had “an unprecedented year with record levels of avian influenza, which has devastated many family farm businesses across the country”.