Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative) on Monday, 26 March 2012.

Agriculture: Eggs

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 16 January (WA 111–2), what is the nature of the loophole in the egg marketing regulations that prevents prohibition of the marketing of any eggs produced in conventional cages which are sent to processing (whether sent as ungraded or class B); whether these are European Union regulations; and what proposals they have tabled to close this loophole.

Answer: Under the EU egg marketing regulations, class A eggs are required to be marketed with an indication that shows they have been produced in a production system that is compliant with the EU-wide ban on the keeping of laying hens in conventional cages. The ban came into force on 1 January 2012 and as of this date it is unlawful to market an egg that has been produced under a non-compliant system as class A. However, the regulations do not provide any basis for a prohibition on the marketing of class B eggs not produced in a compliant system or products derived from such eggs. This is because class B eggs and egg products are not required to make any claim as to their having been produced in a compliant system. We will be discussing this further with representative bodies involved in the egg supply chain shortly. In the meantime, our enforcement strategy is designed to be as robust as possible within the legal constraints that are available.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16435; 736 c195WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Agriculture: Eggs
Monday, 16 January 2012
Written questions
House of Lords; Agriculture: Eggs
Monday, 23 April 2012
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Animal welfare EU law Eggs Poultry Marketing
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk