Flouting the rules on eggs

IT IS nothing short of scandalous that British farmers face potentially devastating losses, even threatening their livelihoods, as a result of European Union laxity over new welfare standards for hens. How wearisomely familiar a story this is; Britain dutifully obeys the rules and enforces them whilst our supposed partners on the continent ignore them and profit as a result.

Warnings about the looming difficulties for our egg producers have been sounded for some considerable time now, yet the EU appears not to have listened. We can only hope that the stark and strongly-worded verdict of the all-party EFRA Committee will be heeded by the Government, which must demand urgent action from the EU in ensuring that unfair competition does not put farmers in this country at a disadvantage.

The Government should also heed the committee’s call to investigate if it can take unilateral action to stop illegally-produced eggs being imported. This is not about protectionism; it is about fairness to farmers who have spent £400m in preparation.

Plainly, the EU cannot be relied on to ensure a level playing field. Its admission that it has no plan to deal with non-compliant eggs is disgraceful and represents a complete failure of a basic regulatory function.

Predictably enough, its response is to pass the buck for responsibility in policing egg production to individual governments, many of which appear, at best, supremely indifferent to the need to heed regulatory standards.

Equally plainly, it would appear that certain countries are actively preparing to deliberately flout the rules, as evidenced by the purchase of defunct British battery hen cages by farmers in Eastern Europe who unquestionably see the chance to gain commercial advantage, especially in the supply of egg products for the baking industry.

Let us not forget that this is not only a commercial matter; it is one of welfare too. British farmers can be proud that they have the highest welfare standards in Europe, and it would be perverse in the extreme if the Government and EU let them down. This matter must be addressed immediately. Consumers can do their bit to help, and should, by making sure that they buy British.