Glowing praise for organic CBTs

Columbian Blacktail organic eggs have been given a glowing accolade by one of the leading organisations in the organic movement.

The praise comes in a report from the outspoken Elm Farm Research Centre which describes itself as "the UK's leading research, development and advisory institution for organic agriculture".

Elm Farm is currently at the centre of a major controversy because of its claims that organic standards are riddled with loopholes.

But in a detailed analysis of the CBT system operated by Stonegate and Waitrose it has nothing but praise for everything from production standards to packing centre controls.

The report—published in the Elm Farm Bulletin—follows the production chain from the 4,000 bird laying unit run by producer Rachel Rivers in Wiltshire (featured in the Ranger earlier this year) through the alternative eggs-only Lacock packing centre to the supermarket shelf where a dozen medium CBT Soil Association accredited eggs cost £3.18.

It says it is clear that committed Waitrose/Stonegate producers like Rachel Rivers "adhere closely to Soil Association standards".

It describes the attention to detail and record keeping at Lacock as "scrupulous". And it is impressed by the level of monitoring from the Soil Association, the BEIC, Freedom Food and the Egg Marketing Inspectorate and by the fact that Waitrose itself runs an independent audit of its egg supply operation every 18 months.

In addition it details the integrated Stonegate system which can alert Waitrose to any under-supply of eggs—which might indicate flows of non-CBT eggs—or over-supply which could reveal that CBT eggs are being diverted in contravention of the contract between the packer and the retailer.

In fact the EFRC report can find only one area of criticism—on flock size—and even then it finds fault only with the Soil Association.

The SA's official maximum flock size is 500. But it allows derogations for flocks up to 2,000. Economic pressures on the Association appear to have forced the 500 maximum to become a de facto 2,000 bird maximum with the routine granting of derogations says the report.

"The 500 bird maximum appears to have been superseded through the development of commercial best practice and therefore needs to be clearly updated to state the 'new' 2,000 maximum in Soil Association published standards," says the report.

"It is the view of EFRC that well designed and managed 2,000 bird organic layer systems are welfare friendly." It goes on, "The most important outcome must be the good health and welfare of the hens."

The report also explores the argument that observing the organic principles of farm integration and sustainability does not fit comfortably with the production of eggs for volume markets. It refers to the Nuffield Farming Study by Laura Aucott on 'The Feasibility and Future of Organic Production' which warned of a two tier organic system developing with large scale producers supplying supermarkets under commercial constraints and "purists" supplying niche markets.

But the report says "Waitrose and Stonegate assert that their organic egg supply chain represents a unique third approach sitting between mass market supply and the niche outlets."

"They freely admit there is continuing work required to develop and enhance the standards further and they are working with all stakeholder groups to achieve this."

EFRC concludes "Stonegate and Waitrose deserve credit for their commitment to poultry welfare and quality egg supply.

"Between them they currently represent the best supply of organic eggs for UK supermarkets."

More free range news at www.theranger.co.uk