Sunday 27 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
07/12/2011 13:54:59
NFU responds to Government statement on illegal eggs
The NFU has today expressed its disappointment that the Government has not been able to adopt stronger measures to protect egg producers from illegal eggs potentially entering the UK from next year.
British egg producers have invested £400million converting to enriched cages to comply with new European legislation coming into force on January 1 although some member states have admitted they will not be ready in time.
Farming minister Jim Paice announced today that the food industry in this country will have to reach a voluntary consensus that it won’t use eggs produced by hens in conventional cages although manufacturers will still be allowed to use the same eggs for its products.
NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said: "We welcome the enforcement measures being taken by the Government but our members will certainly be bitterly disappointed that it has not been possible to take tougher action.
"We are concerned that although the Government has repeatedly pledged its support for the industry, it cannot prohibit the use of illegal egg products and food manufactured from such products. Although we are pleased to see the support of some UK retailers and food manufacturers on this, there are still a number of companies who have yet to make this commitment. Further to this, we would like to see retailers and food manufacturers showing their support for the whole of the British egg industry by offering a fair price for all legal eggs and egg products to recognise the investment that has been made in all production systems in readiness for January 1.
"The UK egg industry should not be disadvantaged for embracing new higher welfare systems and the Government’s announcement today is not what UK egg producers needed after they have invested so heavily and met the requirements of the law."
British egg producers have invested £400million converting to enriched cages to comply with new European legislation coming into force on January 1 although some member states have admitted they will not be ready in time.
Farming minister Jim Paice announced today that the food industry in this country will have to reach a voluntary consensus that it won’t use eggs produced by hens in conventional cages although manufacturers will still be allowed to use the same eggs for its products.
NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said: "We welcome the enforcement measures being taken by the Government but our members will certainly be bitterly disappointed that it has not been possible to take tougher action.
"We are concerned that although the Government has repeatedly pledged its support for the industry, it cannot prohibit the use of illegal egg products and food manufactured from such products. Although we are pleased to see the support of some UK retailers and food manufacturers on this, there are still a number of companies who have yet to make this commitment. Further to this, we would like to see retailers and food manufacturers showing their support for the whole of the British egg industry by offering a fair price for all legal eggs and egg products to recognise the investment that has been made in all production systems in readiness for January 1.
"The UK egg industry should not be disadvantaged for embracing new higher welfare systems and the Government’s announcement today is not what UK egg producers needed after they have invested so heavily and met the requirements of the law."
|
Farming items for Sale
|
Valmet 6400 - Dalbeattie(GBP 9540)
Used John Deere - 7920 - Thame
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Ford 7710 - Norwich(GBP 4500)
John Deere 6920S Autopower - Biddenden(GBP 32400)
JD 6520 - Pickering(GBP 21500)
Related News
Egg industry slams UK Government for allowing illegal battery eggs next year - 06 Dec 2011The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has accused the UK Government of ’chickening out’ on its promise to protect UK egg producers who h...
NFU responds to today’s Autumn Statement - 29 Nov 2011Farming can and will play its part in leading the country back to sustainable economic growth, said the NFU today, in response to the Chancellor Georg...
NFU Cymru Exasperated with Welsh Government’s TB Statement - 21 Jun 2011NFU Cymru is exasperated by today’s TB statement by the new Environment Minister, John Griffiths. His announcement regarding the setting up of a...
UK Government urged to ban illegal eggs - 11 Oct 2011Prime Minister David Cameron is being urged to take tough action and ban imports into the UK of ’illegal’ eggs from European battery farme...
NFU responds to new Government planning regime - 02 Mar 2011The importance of food production and the rural economy must be fully recognised in the new National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF), the NFU said to...
NFU responds to Government Buying Standards - 16 Jun 2011The Government’s drive to increase the amount of British food used in its catering contracts does not go far enough, the NFU has said. Agricu...
NFU responds to Government Water White Paper - 09 Dec 2011The NFU has reacted to the publication of the Government’s Water White Paper, welcoming it as an opportunity to work with farmers and growers an...
Miliband’s sps statement to the commons helpful says NFU - 23 Jun 2006The NFU has described as ‘helpful’ the Secretary of State, David Miliband’s clarification of some of the outstanding issues in relation to the 2005 an...
Egg producers get increase as Nobles responds to feed prices - 17 Feb 2009Noble Foods has taken swift action to offset the impact of a sudden surge in feed prices and has increased its free range producer price by three penc...
Intra-EU ban needed for ‘illegal eggs’?? - 17 Nov 2010Three of the EU’s largest egg-producing states have conceded that they will fail to meet the deadline for a ban on conventional laying cages. ...
