EU-28: EU Egg Producers Seek Relief for Free Range Eggs Impacted by AI

Farmers union COPA-COGECA joined forces with EU egg packers and retailers to ask the European Commission to take measures for free range egg producers. EU producers of free range eggs are facing considerable financial loss as ongoing veterinary measures against Avian Influenza (AI) will force them to label their production as “barn” eggs instead of “free range”, which engenders forgoing a 15-20 percent price premium. While this doesn’t affect the total market supply of eggs, retail shelves may run out of free range eggs, as up to 80 percent of EU free range production in 12 member states may be affected in coming weeks if the AI measures continue. Free range egg production is about 14 percent of total EU egg production.

EU-28: EU Egg Producers Seek Relief for Free Range Eggs Impacted by AI