Free-range eggs are now no longer available to buy in supermarkets due to the risk of bird flu outbreaks.

They have had to be re-labelled as of today because British hens have spent the last four weeks permanently in barns so they don’t catch the disease.

Eggs previously called ‘free range’ are now called ‘barn eggs’ after farmers were told to keep all poultry inside due to the spread of the H5N8 strain of avian flu.

This winter what has been called ‘the biggest ever outbreak of bird flu in Great Britain’ led to more than 80 outbreaks across the country and thousands of birds had to be culled.

The Government issued guidance for ‘disease control zones’, which restricts the movement of birds and helps prevent further outbreaks.

According to EU law, eggs can only be labelled free range if they have until they have been kept indoors for more than 16 weeks – a period which has now expired.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told The Guardian: ‘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 eggs will return to being free-range once the current restrictions are lifted, but in the meantime signs in supermarkets will explain the change.

Farmers hope the change is only temporary and the guidance will be lifted soon as temperatures rise through spring, and outbreaks start to reduce.

Aimee Mahony, chief poultry adviser of the National Farmers’ Union, 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.’

Currently Defra says the risk level for poultry exposure to avian flu is considered medium if the guidelines are followed.

But if they are not, the risk level increases to high.

The risk in wild birds has increased to very high in England, and high in Wales and Scotland.

The keep birds indoors rules apply not only to poultry but to any kind of bird-keeping, including individually owned.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Read Full Article