MPs warn on EU battery egg clampdown

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The EU should implement a ban on the export of eggs which do not meet new welfare standards for laying hens, according to a group of MPs.

The Commons food and rural affairs committee said a third of Europe's egg production will not comply with the new welfare standards when new legislation comes into force in January 2012.

The MPs warned that UK farmers will have spent £400m improving conditions for egg-laying hens which will be wasted if eggs are imported from other EU countries that do not comply with rules.

The report said British producers will also be at a competitive disadvantage if cheaper, illegal imports are allowed into the UK once the new regulations come into force in early 2012.

The new rules are designed to improve conditions for battery hens. They rule out the use of conventional battery cages for all laying hens in the EU, with a minimum standard of "enriched" cages which give the birds more space.

However, the committee warned the European Commission was being complacent over its enforcement of the regulations.

The cross-party group of MPs called on the government to press for a trade ban on the export of eggs and associated produce that have come from farms not complying with the new standards.

And they want the EU to prosecute producers that do not comply with the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive.

UK industry estimates found that while it is working to comply with the rules, more than 100 million hens will still be housed in battery cages in other EU countries when new rules comes into force.

Committee chair Anne McIntosh said: "The European Commission has just not woken up to the impact that non-compliance with this legislation will have on egg producers in the UK and across Europe.

"UK egg producers have spent around £400m to improve conditions for laying hens. That money will be wasted and UK producers will be left at a competitive disadvantage if cheaper, illegal and non-compliant shell eggs and egg products can be imported to the UK from other European countries."

A spokesperson for the environment department said: "The UK poultry industry has worked hard and made significant investment to improve laying hen welfare, which could be undermined if producers in other countries don’t also make the changes."

"We are pressing the European Commission to take action to ensure the 2012 deadline is met, and will keep up the pressure to ensure good animal welfare."

The British Retail Consortium has guaranteed that its retailers will not sell lower welfare eggs or use them in their products from January 2012.

Andrew Opie, British Retail Consortiumfood director said: "Retailers won't compromise on welfare standards when it comes to the eggs on their shelves or in their own-brand products.

"We are pleased to be able to offer shoppers and British egg producers a guarantee that lower welfare eggs will not be bought by UK supermarkets or used as ingredients in their own products. Retailers are demonstrating their support for UK egg producers. The challenge is for all other parts of the food sector to do likewise."

Agriculture minister Jim Paice said: "We are pressing hard in Europe to ensure that the 2012 deadline is met by all Member States. We have told the Commission that there must be no derogation for those who have not converted.

"Our producers who have made the investment must not be undermined by those who have not. I'm really pleased that the British Retail Consortium and major retailers have acted responsibly to ensure that their cakes and ready meals are only produced with eggs complying with the new regulations."

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