Farming Talk: Help stamp out EU battery hen egg production

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of our eggs this Easter were British and if possible, free range?

Although battery hen egg production is now illegal in the United Kingdom, the battle still goes on in the Europe.

Sadly, over a dozen EU countries still cage hens in the cages that we have banned.

This accounts for 25 per cent of all hens in the EU.

Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Spain and Greece are the main countries not currently conforming to the regulations that the UK has imposed on its egg producers. The majority of their eggs imported into Britain arrive as liquid egg, which is used in many processed and ready made foods.

This is a situation that many consumers are not aware of until now.

How many of us purchase free range eggs for welfare and taste reasons and then pick up a quiche or a pudding without considering the eggs used in its production?

Our British farmers have invested heavily, at a difficult economic time, to meet the new welfare regulations and consumers should be able to make an informed choice about what they are buying and eating.

If you purchase British eggs, either in your local supermarket or farm shop, all eggs should be coded and stamped with the Lion Code from the UK packhouse. Also look out for 'Freedom Food', the RSPCA's farm assurance and food labelling scheme, which focuses solely on improving the welfare of farm animals reared for food.

Their logo may also appear on egg boxes for farms that have received the accreditation.

The more difficult decision as a consumer is when buying ready-made food.

Check the labels every time and buy products containing British eggs. this assures you that the product is made with non-battery eggs.

If free range eggs are used, even better – you'll taste the difference, too.

Please sign up to the pledge to keep the illegal battery eggs out of the UK by visiting this link and pledging your support for the British farmers, www.legaleggs.com/pledges

Natalie Walker manages the Green Fields Farm Shop in Donnington