In February the NFU took a group of free-range poultry members to Brussels to ensure European officials were aware of how the loss of free-range status would impact UK poultry businesses.
On the back of the meeting NFU Chief Poultry Advisor, Gary Ford, sent a letter to the Commission asking for clearer guidance on certain aspects of the Housing Order and how it affects poultry producers. The NFU have received a written response from the Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Rudolf Moegele, detailing correct procedure.
Background
Four poultry members, including three farmers, met specifically with EU Commission officials to explain how their businesses could suffer come the 28 February when farmers were no longer able to label their produce free-range.
NFU chief poultry adviser Gary Ford said: “The loss of free-range status poses a very serious threat to affected poultry businesses and the NFU wanted European officials to hear first-hand how this will affect farmers.”
“Taking a group of affected farmers to the heart of the European Union was a very positive way of getting this key message to an influential group of decision-makers.”
Mark Gorton, a free-range poultry meat producer from Norfolk, said: “I thought the visit was really enlightening and worthwhile. They don’t get to meet farmers very often so it was interesting to put our case forward and how it will affect us as farmers.”
“For me, as a free-range poultry meat producer, it is important that everyone continues to support us. If we can’t sell our chickens as free-range and we had to take a drop in price it would impact our business hard.”
The Response
Below is a summary of the key points set out in the response:
- The 12 week derogation period applies from when the CVO makes the Housing Order announcement (for the UK this was the 6 December);
- The 12 week derogation period does not apply on an individual flock basis;
- Eggs laid by hens that continue to be housed beyond the 12 week derogation period (i.e. 28 February) must be labelled as ‘barn’ eggs;
- As soon as veterinary restrictions imposing the Housing Order are lifted and birds have access to range the eggs can be labelled as ‘free range’;
- In the event that a Housing Order is re-imposed a new 12 week derogation period will apply (and the eggs can continue to be labelled as ‘free range’);
- There is no minimum or maximum timeframe permitted between these two periods;
- A lifting of the Housing Order for a day to trigger a new 12 week period could be considered as a circumvention of the 12 week rule.