The NFU Cymru Poultry Board has welcomed the news that the Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced a change in the egg marketing regulations.

When implemented, the change will mean that hens can still be housed whilst a housing order remains in place during an avian influenza outbreak and not lose their free-range status on their egg labels.

Chairman of the NFU Cymru Poultry Board Richard Williams, said: “NFU Cymru lobbied Welsh Government hard on this matter for a number of reasons.

“From the disease control point of view, it makes sense for birds to be housed over high-risk periods and not to have an arbitrary 16 week cut-off. Also, to have different rules to England on free range egg labelling would be a logistical nightmare for packers, as there is a huge movement of eggs both ways over the Welsh border. Well over 90% of Welsh eggs are from free range flocks.

“Welsh Government had funded research into consumer attitudes which aligned with the results of a survey conducted in 2023 carried out by the British Egg Industry Council, and was submitted to government during the consultation, which highlighted that the majority of egg consumers said they were happy for eggs to continue to be stamped with the free range label when hens, for their own protection and welfare, have to be temporarily housed whilst the risk from Avian Influenza is in place.

“When enacted, this change will mean that Wales will come in line on egg labelling with the rest of the UK and the European Union.”