Update regarding free-range eggs and bird flu
We wanted to send a short update in regards to recent news about the impact of bird flu and the egg supply chain. We serve Food for Life Bronze awarded menus in schools and one aspect of this is to serve Free-Range Eggs, from a local farm. As a charity serving school meals across Southampton, locally and ethically sourced ingredients is something that sits prominently as part of our food standards.
Today, we have received the below update from our suppliers and we wanted to share it with you:
“Following the latest veterinary advice from DEFRA all Free Range Egg producers in the UK are instructed to continue with the housing order that has been in place since 29.11.21 as a guard against the risk of Avian Flu. Under current rules birds are permitted to be housed for 16 weeks before having to be reclassified from Free Range to Barn eggs. This point will have been reached for eggs laid Monday 21.03.22 and we will be complying by changing the code on our eggs from 1UK to 2UK. Based on experience from previous years we both hope and expect this to be a short term measure as the Avian Flu risk typically declines in line with migratory bird movements and change in the seasons.
Our four flocks are still free to move within their houses with access to feed, water, scratch areas for dust bathing and plenty of fresh air thanks to good ventilation. We have already taken steps throughout this winter and previous high risk AI years to enrich the environment for our hens with peck blocks, grit and perches to stimulate natural behaviour and work to maintain high welfare standards. We are constantly monitoring our birds and take all possible steps to minimise stress and ensure they have the best possible life under the circumstances.
There will be a short period of overlap in classification between eggs produced up to the 21st of March and those laid after that date, and then again when the housing order is lifted. All UK free range egg producers are in the same boat in respect to this disruptive issue, kindly please bear with us as we adapt to the new legal requirements placed upon us.”
We thank everyone involved for doing all they can to ensure that their chickens continue to have positive living environments despite these restrictions - and we hope that the restrictions will end as soon as possible.
To learn more about our food standards, and Food for Life Bronze Award status, please visit: https://www.citycateringsouthampton.co.uk/accreditations
