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

Written evidence submitted by NFU Cymru Poultry Board (EGG 21)

The implications of the Directive for Welsh egg production

Wales probably is unique in that the significant investment to comply with the Welfare of Hens directive has been channelled into free range egg production.

Wales can now proudly boast that more free range egg production takes place per capita than any other E.U. country (Freedom Food statistic Nov2010). This production growth has been stimulated by both increasing consumer demand at retail and catering level but also by the impending conventional cage ban and subsequent production gap in the market.

There has been diversification and huge investment undertaken by traditional family farms and also new entrants into the sector. Some of these new entrants have limited and under conventional farming methods – economically unviable acreage, however free range egg production has again enabled them to become viable. Also importantly free range egg production has regenerated many rural areas.

It is estimated that in Wales alone new investment into Free range egg production amounts to over £100 million pounds.

Any egg production in any EU country non compliant to the cage ban post 1/1/2012 would undermine the viability of this huge investment by independent farmers. Confidence by finance providers would also be undermined.

However there are also concerns for this sector, as feed price and current volatile market conditions compounded by the huge weekly import of liquid pasteurised egg of dubious provenance –(as highlighted by the recent dioxin scare in imported liquid egg from Germany) enters the UK.

The import of liquid egg after the ban must be scrutinised as it may be a possible route into the UK for illegally produced eggs.

Here in Wales we would call for Defra/Animal health egg marketing inspectorate to have jurisdiction instead of Port Authorities at point of entry and also to have jurisdiction for non shell egg inspection for use in the catering /manufacturing sectors. There must be clear and concise provenance/traceability at all stages of the supply chain for this product. I understand that it amounts to over 20% of egg used in the UK.

Also here in Wales Defra/Animal health have reduced the numbers of egg marketing inspectors on the ground at a time of possibly the greatest need for industry scrutiny.

Finally I feel I must state my disappointment and surprise that no primary egg producer /farming group have been asked to give oral evidence at this enquiry. It would appear that Defra have distanced themselves from the farming community, a decision which is not understandable when industry cooperation may be required in future discussions on cost and responsibility sharing.

27 February 2011