Egg farmers concern over deadline


Egg producers in Hampshire say they are facing unfair competition because while they have introduced new welfare standards other European countries have failed to do so.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) says producers in the south of England have spent £400m upgrading cages to meet an EU directive which comes into force on 1 January.

But, it says, not all EU countries will meet the deadline - at least 13 will still be using old cages in the new year.

The NFU warns that even thought the big supermarkets have agreed not to sell eggs produced abroad in old cages, millions will still find their way into the UK, undercutting eggs produced to higher welfare standards.

