Questions are being raised over the welfare standards of eggs being imported into the UK, as a total of 2,536 consignments came from abroad in the first eight months of 2023 which experts warn could be of lower quality.
According to the Animal and Plant Heath Agency, the amount of eggs imported from Italy rose by 300% from 2022 to 2023 and the number from Poland increased from 46 consignments to 1,095 from 2021 to August 2023 – a rise of 2,000%.
However as reported by The Guardian, post-Brexit trade deals have led to concern over the quality of eggs imported as to whether or not they are from caged hens, while Polish authorities found salmonella at several sites supplying eggs to the UK earlier this year.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
National Farmers’ Union president, Minette Batters told the newspaper: “When the medical advice is to eat British Lion eggs, why on earth would they be importing eggs produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK?”
“It raises serious questions as to whether the government is checking food imports given the ongoing delays in the border target operating model.”
UK egg production has suffered over the past year as farmers faced pressures such as rising costs.
Last November, British egg producers also warned of shortages as farmers struggled with the uncertainty surrounding bird flu, resulting in some downsizing their flocks and even leaving the industry.
At the time, British Free Range Egg Producers Association found that around 165 farmers had to temporarily or permanently cease production.
However, Tesco pledged to provide a further £10m of additional support for the UK egg sector in August and Lidl supported its existing suppliers last month by investing an additional £40m compared to last year.
