HC 830 The implications of the Welfare of Laying Hens directive for the egg industry

Further supplementary written evidence submitted by Roy Kerr (EGG 11B)

Before your committee meeting on the 2nd March 2011, I have read the 13 presentations published and I was surprised by the short number as I was aware that SEPRA had submitted comments, I would like to add a few comments which might be useful at your meeting, the RSPCA stated that they estimated the cost of re-equipping with comfort cages at 11 pence per dozen, with a hen house average of 300 eggs = 25 dozen this represents £2.75 per year per hen, as the cost of comfort cages was in the region of £25.00 per hen and now £30.00 have we to assume that the 11 pence per dozen increase in cost was spread over 10 years?

M B Crocker mentioned variations in the advice on stocking densities in comfort cages, in Scotland there has been no doubt in the regulations, or there enforcement and inspection.

British hen welfare trust survey stated that consumers requested more information and clearer labelling, the information on shell egg packs is self explanatory and completely adequate-- but product packaging is a very grey area.

Food retailers are stating all their products are free-range, after the recent Dioxin scare Memory Lane was approached by several processors in this country to supply free-range liquid egg, even offering to match the Dutch price and were informed by the Welsh buyer that they were not interested, the same applies to Mr Kipling.

Interestingly the tonnage of free-range liquid egg being supplied to this country from Holland would require more than their entire free-range hen population, but in Holland they classify barn, and F.R. as alternative system and sell as free-range, and are using this cheaper product to gain market share.

Earlier this year the major food retailers used the media to suggest there was a supermarket price war, this was a ruse and a brilliant P R move to cover the fact they were actually increasing prices/margins.

January 2010 6 medium FR £1.46 (£2.92 a dozen) production cost 63 pence producer price £1.00.

January 2011 6 medium FR £1.82 (£3.64 a dozen) production cost 78 pence producer price 81 pence.

This week 6 medium Fr has been reduced to £1.58 (£3.16 per dozen) but the major packers have announced a 5 pence reduction in producer price, it does not require much of a calculation to realise that if this continues for a few months it will decimate the British egg industry, which is over stretched financially complying with the 2012 regulations.

It is obvious that we should not either comply or enforce EU regulations so enthusiastically as other EU countries are going to benefit.

28 February 2011