NFU Warns of Cage-Free Egg Conversion Challenges

27 Jul 2016 --- The National Farmers’ Union UK is calling for greater clarity over retailers cage-free egg promises, detailing exactly what will replace the current production system. The NFU says the companies who have pledged to stop selling eggs from hens in enriched cage systems by 2025 must give their egg suppliers more clarity on timelines and how the new systems will operate. 

At the moment, approximately 40 percent of UK shoppers buy eggs from enriched cage systems, but the NFU believes the decision made by Tesco, Iceland, Morrisons, Aldi and Sodexo, to convert to 100 percent cage-free eggs, will be extremely challenging for the egg industry. 

The enriched cage systems were introduced in 2012, a move which costs farmers more than $523 million. 

The cage-free decision will have an impact on the entire egg sector, warns NFU poultry board chairman, Duncan Priestner. 

“This change will impact greatly across all egg production systems so it is absolutely imperative that we and our members have clarity over retailers’ future plans and have our concerns addressed as soon as possible,” he says. 

“Although 2025 is nine years away, time is of the essence to allow our producers to make the necessary changes, with minimal disruption to their businesses and to our customers, the British public.” 

“We have built good relations with the retailers, UK agriculture’s biggest customer, and will be looking to build those relationships to secure much needed clarification and certainty for our members.” 

“UK retailers have a very good track record on sourcing UK eggs and we look to that commitment continuing.” 

The specifics the NFU has identified include:
Producers needing more details to effectively plan and make necessary changes to their businesses by 2025;
A conversion to cage-free eggs means 15 million birds housed in enriched cage systems will need alternative housing in production systems such as barns and free range. This takes time and planning.
What are the alternative production systems and how will the transition to cage-free be implemented? 

Earlier this week, FoodIngredientsFirst, revealed how French company Sodexo announced it was switching to cage-free eggs by 2025. It uses around 250 million shell eggs a year. We also reported how Tesco was making the same commitment.

by Gaynor Selby