Warning of possible egg shortage as UK farmers battle bird flu

UK egg farmers warn of possible shortages as farmers quit the industry or reduce flock sizes amid soaring costs and growing demand uncertainty over the spread of bird flu.

A third of farmers surveyed in recent days by the UK trade body Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) said they had reduced the number of hens in their flock because the price of eggs meant they were unable to cover their costs.

Meanwhile, a quarter of the 165 farmers who have respondents told BFREPA that they had stopped production temporarily or permanently.

Farmers are facing soaring costs, including the price of feed for their hens, as well as increased energy and transportation bills.

The association represents around 550 egg companies, which account for around 70% of the UK's free range and organic egg production, supplying large er retailers.

Several of the interviewees who had reduced their herd said they were "seriously considering not restocking", while another farmer added "trying to cut costs to survive".< /p>

In March, the egg industry called on major UK retailers to raise the price of a dozen eggs by 40 pence to avoid the collapse of hundreds of egg producers.

< p class="dcr-2v2zi4">BFREPA said the average price of eggs has since risen by around 45p, but only a quarter of that - between 9p and 10p - had been passed on to the farmers, which was not enough to cover their higher costs.

The organization Egg industry medic, the British Egg Industry Council, said cost pressures had led to a temporary reduction in the size of the UK flock, but it expected numbers to rise again as that cost pressures are easing.

He said pressure on egg supply had been caused by several factors: "These include hens lost as a result of avia n influenza; the cost of production is rising, which means producers are struggling to break even; a reduction in the number of colony hens as retailers shift to cage-free; and strong consumer demand."

The council added that the industry is working closely with retailers to ensure producers can meet consumer demand. consumers.

The Guardian understands that supermarkets are not facing immediate egg shortages.

Andrew Opie , director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said retailers were managing their supply chains and continuing to "work hard to ensure minimal impact on customers despite continued pressures from the supply chain. supply".

Cost pressures come as growers face biggest bird flu outbreak e ever registered in the UK, raising concerns about reduced production. Keeping hens indoors also entails additional costs for farmers.

The epidemic, which has lasted for more than a year, has accelerated in recent years. weeks, with nearly 100 confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu since early October.

Officials have said the disease is circulating among wild birds, but is deadly for captive birds, especially chickens and turkeys. Any outbreak is also devastating to farmers as it results in the culling of any remaining birds on the site.

In an attempt to curb the spread of bird flu, the poultry and other captive birds in England are required by law to be housed indoors for an indefinite period.

An extended housing order may also result in the re-labeling of eggs from free-range hens for sale.

UK law states that eggs can still be marketed free-range for the first 16 weeks of a housing order; if hens are still to be kept indoors after this time, the eggs will need to be relabeled as "coop eggs".