Farming Today

Free range eggs & bird flu restrictions; English & Scottish fishing quotas

Farming Today

Is the status of the UK's free-range eggs threatened by DEFRA's avian flu restrictions on flocks being outdoors? Anna Hill speaks to Mark Williams of the British Egg Industry Council. By the end of February, free range eggs could be temporarily re-classified as being "barn" produced. That's because the presence of bird flu has meant all free range hens - providing eggs or meat - have had to be kept indoors since December 6th. February 28th is the twelve-week deadline when you can no longer call a product "free-range" if the bird has been kept indoors. So, if the disease is still around at the end of February - what will happen to the free range label? The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations in England has criticised Minister George Eustice over a deal which handed over 1,500 tonnes of north east Arctic cod quota from England to Scotland. However, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation say the deal is fair, because it offsets issues caused by the EU ban on discarding fish. The English group believe Mr Eustice caved in to political pressure from Edinburgh. Farming Today brings together Barry Deas, leader of the NFFO, which represents the industry in England; and Bertie Armstrong - chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation. Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Mark Smalley.

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📆 2017-01-21 01:00 / 00:24:32