Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
The Welsh Government will begin work on introducing changes to the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations, removing a requirement to relabel or repackage free range eggs in situations where the Chief Veterinary Officer made flock housing orders for Avian Influenza.
The existing ‘derogation’ period under the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations states that, when mandatory housing measures are introduced, eggs from free-range birds may continue to be labelled as ‘free-range’ for 16 weeks. The EU (and by default NI) has already removed this requirement. The UK and Scotland have also consulted on changes to regulations earlier this year.
Following the outcome of the consumer research and public consultation conducted by Welsh Government over the summer, I have reached the decision to remove the derogation period for free-range eggs in Wales. Some additional work is ongoing on poultrymeat marketing standards, and there will be further updates on this in due course.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in both the consumer survey and public consultation.