NFU responds to new poultry industry legislation
The Defra Ministers commitment to support the egg industry is a positive step, says the NFU but more can be done to help chicken meat producers.
Farming Minister Jim Paice announced new rules for meat chicken welfare and support for egg producers at the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference, held in Warwickshire yesterday (Monday).
The Minister confirmed Government support for UK egg producers who are investing in enriched colony systems on laying hen farms. Delegates were told he had written to the European Commission seeking a ban on eggs from conventional cages being traded between member states after January 1 2012.
Speaking at the event, NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said: We welcome the Ministers pledge and efforts to protect the investment of egg producers in the UK who are converting to enriched colony units, in line with EU legislation on January 1 2012.
It is clear that fair trade in the single market will be complicated by the estimated 100 million-plus birds that could still be reared in conventional cages in other EU member states after the ban comes into effect. So we welcome the Ministers efforts on this issue and urge Commission officials to address this potential disparity as soon as possible.
However, the Minister went on to deal a blow to conventional chicken meat (broiler) producers in Great Britain while announcing the English implementation of EU legislation for meat chicken welfare. The legislation laid before Parliament yesterday sets standards which are stricter than other EU member states. This gold plating will put farmers and the industry in Great Britain at a competitive disadvantage, says the NFU.
The NFU also believes the new rules, which set maximum stocking density rates of 39kg/m2 in England, (as well as Wales and Scotland under devolved powers) compared to the rate allowed by the Commission of 42kg/m2, could threaten the industry as a whole.
Mr Bourns added: This is clear and simple gold plating by our Government and it will be damaging to the UK industry. Approximately 55 per cent of chicken imports into the UK come from Holland and Poland where producers have had to come down to 42kg/m2, their new legal limit. This means that NFU members will not be able to compete with this chicken being imported into our market.
1. Jim Paice MP was speaking at the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference in Meriden, Warwickshire, yesterday (Monday).
2. From June 30 2010 new rules for the keeping of meat chickens came into force across all member states; however, delays meant the directive has yet to be implemented in the UK (Council Directive 2007/43).
3. Council Directive 99/74/EC, which was adopted in 1999, lays down minimum standards for the welfare of laying hens. The Directive came into effect in all member states on January 1 2002 and bans the use of conventional cages from January 1 2012.