'Free-range eggs' in EU could come from birds housed indoors all their lives

Eggs produced in the EU could continue to be labeled as 'free range', even if the birds are not allowed outside, under new proposals.

The European Commission has presented plans to remove the marketing delay for free-range eggs if chickens are forced to be housed to reduce the risk of bird flu outbreaks.

This comes after mainland Europe and the UK suffered the worst bird flu outbreak on record this year. So far, more than 46 million birds have been culled on farms across the continent, with France particularly suffering. In the UK there have been over 100 highly pathogenic outbreaks.

In recent years outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) have declined over time more warm and the end of bird migration during the fall and winter months. But outbreaks have continued in the UK and elsewhere in Europe for much longer this year.

The order to keep birds indoors in the UK, which began last November , was only lifted in August, while in parts of the Netherlands housing orders are now lasting over 10 months.

Marion Koopmans, councilor from the World Health Organisation, said bird flu was no longer just a seasonal threat, with local circulation now year-round in Europe. A bird flu vaccine for chickens is not yet available, although trials are underway.

Farmers are getting longer and longer grace periods 12, and now 16 weeks, during which time eggs can continue to be marketed free range as long as a mandatory housing order is in place. -spacefinder-type="model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class="dcr-eiqqge">