There is a loophole in government regulations that allows chickens to be free-range even though they cannot be outside due to the outbreak of avian influenza.
Officials in the UK have reported that the UK was hit by the worst ever outbreak of avian Flu over the winter. Nearly 100 highly pathogenic outbreaks have been reportedIn England, Scotland, and Wales
The UK government has ordered that all birds raised for meat and eggs be kept indoors from November in order to reduce the risk of spreading disease. Free-range eggs must now be labeled or stamped to indicate that they are barn eggs. This is the name given to eggs from hens kept indoors.
Producers who sell chickens for meat don’t need to inform consumers that outside birds are prohibited. Officials in the UK have confirmed that chicken producers can keep their free-range status provided they don’t house birds for more than 12 week.
Free-range birds, which are typically killed at eight weeks old, don’t live long enough to be eligible for labelling.
It’s a horrible situation for farmers. However, if a chicken born free-range has never been allowed to go outside in its life, that should be made known to consumers, said Peter Stevenson (chief policy adviser at Compassion in World Farming).
The situation could worsen, with leading disease experts telling Guardian last month that free-range production in the UK may be impossible due to an escalation of avian flu epidemics.
In the past, avian flu outbreaks have declined with warmer weather and the cessation of wild-bird migration during the autumn and winter. The disease is spreading in the UK, with five new outbreaks in the UK’s poultry farms in Devon and Somerset in the past week.
The ecology [of avian flu]The world has seen dramatic changes in the past few years. Marion Koopmans (virologist and advisor to the World Health Organization) stated that European circulation is now all-year round. It’s not just a threat during the winter.
A free-range chicken producer spoke to the Guardian and said that it was a terrible situation for them. However, they were happy to explain the situation to anyone who asked. I am still certain that the birds will be out by May end. But, if they are not, I will. [indoor housing]They said that if the current policy is not changed, the government will need to enforce housing of birds on a local basis depending on the location of outbreaks.
The market for free range chickens is still small in comparison to the demand of free-range eggs. Last year, nearly two-thirds (or almost) of the 11bn eggs were sold. ProducedIn the UK, free-range was the norm. Contrary to this, less than 4 percent of chicken meat soldOrganic or free-range.
Waitrose, Sainsburys and M&S have stopped stocking eggs that are not free-range. However, they all sell chicken flesh from birds that were never allowed to go outside.
A spokesperson for British Poultry Council stated that there are no plans to inform consumers as there is no time limit for the derogation to chickens for meat under the poultry marketing regulations. This is in contrast to eggs, which allow house birds to be derogated for 16 weeks.
Stevenson stated that forced housing of birds makes it imperative for the government to improve regulations regarding chicken sheds. Stevenson stated that the barn accommodation needs to be much better, with more enrichment and straw, and better indoor areas.