Consultation on amending Egg Marketing Standards legislation in Great Britain

Overview

1.1. Egg Marketing Standards in the UK are established by Regulation (EC) No 589/2008, and enforced in England by the Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2009, in Wales by the Eggs and Chicks (Wales) Regulations 2010  and in Scotland by the Eggs and Chicks (Scotland) (No.2) Regulations 2008 (as amended).

1.2. Regulation 589/2008 was retained within domestic law after 1 January 2021 when the EU Transition Period ended. It has also been amended by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products and Common Agricultural Policy (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019, the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 and the Agriculture (Payments) (Amendment, etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

Why your views matter

2.1. Defra, the Welsh Government, and the Scottish Government are undertaking this consultation in relation to a proposed amendment to their respective legislation to update the approach to the enforcement of egg marketing standards for imports of eggs to Great Britain.

2.2. Egg marketing standards are a devolved matter. Each of the three GB administrations is leading on the amendment to the legislation for its own jurisdiction.  Defra is engaging with colleagues in both the Welsh and Scottish Governments to discuss possible GB-wide alignment on the proposed amendments. Northern Ireland is bound by the Northern Ireland Protocol, this includes Regulation 589/2008 has effect in NI as it does in the EU, and as a result Northern Ireland cannot amend its egg marketing standards regulation. We will work with Northern Ireland to ensure we have optimal alignment and egg movements between GB and NI continue as usual.

2.3 The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of industry on our proposed amendment to retained Regulation (EC) 589/2008.

2.4 It is our priority to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of industry’s views of these proposals. All responses to this consultation will therefore be carefully considered.

2.5 The amendment we are proposing to the legislation is designed to confirm the continuation of the existing enforcement regime for imports under egg marketing standards regulations. In doing so, we are looking to ensure that the enforcement of marketing standards continue to be maintained throughout the supply chain without causing undue burden to businesses.