Egg producers need clarity on retailer cage-free promises

Currently 40% of shoppers buy eggs from enriched cage systems.

The NFU believes decisions made by Aldi, Tesco, Iceland, Morrisons, Sodexo, Asda Lidl, Spar and Nisa as well as those from wholesalers and independents to look for alternative production methods will force the egg industry into its biggest change since the introduction of enriched cages in 2012; a move which then cost farmers in excess of £400m.

NFU poultry board chairman Duncan Priestner warned that this decision would not just impact on those using enriched cages but would have a knock-on effect on the entire egg sector.

“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 said.

“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 - a market worth an estimated £895m.

“We have built good relations with the retailers – UK agriculture’s biggest customer - and will be looking to those relationships to secure much needed clarification and certainty for our members. UK retailers have a very good track record on sourcing UK egg and we look to that commitment continuing.”

Timeline:

The following retailers have already stopped selling cage eggs: Co-op (2007/8); M&S (1997); Sainsbury (2009); Waitrose (2007).