Surge in imports of low-welfare eggs from caged hens to UK
The Guardian reported that eggs from flocks in poor welfare conditions are increasingly being shipped to the UK. Official data reveals a dramatic surge in the number of eggs imported from Poland between 2021 and August 2023, escalating by more than 2,000% from 46 shipments to 1,095. Similarly, imports from Italy surged by nearly 300% between 2022 and 2023, rising from 72 shipments to 279. The total number of imported shipments rose from 422 in 2021 to 2,120 in 2022 and has already reached 2,536 in the first eight months of 2023. The primary concern lies in the quality of these imports.
Egg imports from Poland have frequently been associated with salmonella outbreaks. Additionally, British Lion eggs, renowned for their high quality, adhere to stringent production standards compared to imports. British health authorities recommend prioritizing Lion eggs. This importation issue presents a challenging 'double standard,' with one set of requirements for local production and another for imports. The rise in imports occurs amidst a shortage of local eggs due to increased production costs. Official figures indicate an 8% decline in egg production in the UK in 2022 and an anticipated 10% decrease this year.
In Poland, approximately 40 million layers are present, with 87% of them confined in cages with limited living space. Welfare organizations in the UK oppose this trend and demand that import transactions maintain the same welfare standards as those in the UK.
