Shoppers will no longer be able to buy free-range eggs from supermarkets from Monday because of restrictions to stop the spread of bird flu.
Chickens have been in bird flu lockdown since November, meaning eggs previously classed as free-range must now be labelled ‘barn’.
The length of time they have been kept indoors means their eggs can now no longer be labelled free-range.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told The : “The 16-week grace period we allowed for free-range eggs has now been exceeded, and eggs must now be marketed as ‘barn eggs’. We have worked closely with the sector and retailers to implement these changes as smoothly as possible.”
The British Retail Consortium said supermarkets will put up signs notifying customers of the change but added: ‘When the measures are lifted, eggs will go back to being free-range.’
The National Farmers’ Union’s chief poultry adviser, Aimee Mahony, said: “Shoppers may notice different labels on egg packs explaining that the eggs have been laid by hens temporarily housed to protect their health and welfare. Once the risk levels have reduced and the housing measures have been lifted by Defra, birds will be able to go outside again.”
