eurealist.co.uk

EU says eggs must carry details of the hen that laid them

The Press:

“The European Union says that every egg sold in the EU will soon have to be stamped with the method of production, country of origin, who produced and packed it, a “best before” date and details about the specific hen that laid it…”
(Daily Telegraph, 7 February 2003)

The Facts:

EU legislation providing for optional marking of eggs was originally adopted in 1990. Eggs stamped with information such as “best before” dates have long been familiar to Europeans. The latest regulation for the labelling of eggs was adopted to address demands for clear and unambiguous labelling to allow EU consumers to make informed choices. The mandatory information required is limited to “a code designating the producer’s distinguishing number and permitting the farming method to be identified”.

Notes:

Couple of points here, the suggestion that there has been some EU legislation since 1990 does not negate the fact that this is new legislation, the suggestion that we are familiar with date stamping is not excuse for further introduction of red tape. The EU seems to think it is.

I keep reading that there is a demand for EU action in some area or other, I have never spoken to anyone who has made such a demand have you? Greenpeace subsequently collected a million signatures demanding to know about genetically modified organisms but the EU does not mention that.

From Defra

Egg marking (stamping)

Since 1 January 2004, Council Regulation 5/2001 has required all Class A eggs sold at retail level in the EU to be marked with a code identifying the establishment, country of origin and method of production.

In addition, the Registration of Establishments Regulations 2003 requires all laying hens establishments to be registered and allocated a distinguishing number comprising of a digit indicating the farming method, Member State code and identification number.