Summary of responses (English version)
Updated 8 November 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-egg-marketing-standards-legislation-in-great-britain/outcome/summary-of-responses-english-version
Introduction
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government held a joint consultation from 19 July 2021 to 16 August 2021. To gather views from industry on proposed amendments to retained Regulation (EC) 589/2008.
This report is a summary of the consultation survey results and the main themes identified from written feedback.
A total of 6 consultation responses were received from businesses and trade bodies representing the egg sector.
Across the 6 respondents, organisations in England, Scotland and Wales were represented in the responses.
The organisations that responded to this consultation were:
- British Egg Industry Council
- National Farmers' Union (NFU) of England and Wales
- NFU Scotland
- NFU Cymru
- British Free Range Egg Producers Association
- Avonfinch Ltd
Consultation responses
Do you understand the proposed change in legislation?
All six respondents understood the proposed change in legislation.
Do you have any comments on the proposed legislative change?
Most respondents suggested that they do not agree with the proposal and prefer checks taking place at the border. One respondent agreed with the proposal.
Half of the respondents emphasised that any future change should be reciprocated by the EU to benefit British egg producers and egg exporters.
One respondent provided more detail on the Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) barriers British egg exporters have experienced to date. In their view, all checks taking place at the border would ensure a level playing field and 'bring the EU to the table' in the process.
A couple of respondents who disagreed with the proposal cited that imported eggs must be subject to the same standard of checks as domestic eggs and produced to the same high health, welfare, and food safety standards.
Two of the respondents who disagreed with the proposal expressed a view that robust checks must take place at customs to ensure there is no risk of products that fail these checks ending up on the British market.
Are there any further amendments you would like to be considered in future reviews of the Egg Marketing Standard Regulation?
There was a mixed range of views expressed by respondents on considerations for future amendments to egg marketing standards legislation.
For example, areas of concern ranged from egg size classifications, labelling (country of origin and production addresses) and a general point on the move to cage-free eggs at retail level requiring a careful policy approach.
Would you be interested in attending a roundtable to further discuss the proposed legislative change?
All but one respondent was interested in attending a roundtable to further discuss the proposed legislative change.
Next steps
In response to the consultation, Defra, Welsh Government and Scottish Government held a roundtable discussion 24 September 2021 to mitigate concerns raised by industry. A full roundtable outcome will be sent out to all participants in due course.
We are now setting out the UK Government's next steps to make amendments to Egg Marketing regulation in Great Britain.
Defra, Welsh Government and Scottish Government have agreed on a Great Britain wide alignment of proposed amendments at an official level.
The amendment will enable the three devolved administrations to confirm the continuation of the existing enforcement regime for imports under egg marketing standards regulations.
The amendment will also ensure a consistent approach across Great Britain that is minimally burdensome to industry.
Egg Marketing Standard Regulation in Northern Ireland will not be amended as they currently align with the EU, as required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Our ambition is to deliver this legislative amendment in England and Scotland by the end of 2021 and by the end of March 2022 in Wales.
The updated enforcement approach for imported Class A eggs will go live across Great Britain in early 2022.
We will continue to closely engage with industry on the changes to egg marketing standards regulation.
An updated guide regarding the implementation of marketing standard checks on imported Class A eggs will be drafted and sent out to industry ahead of the changes in legislation coming into effect.