Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
902. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position regarding the extension of the 16-week derogation for housing free-range layers in response to annual outbreaks of avian influenza; if he has requested the extension of such by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16605/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPoultry producers are obliged, by law, to keep their birds indoors because of the risk of Avian Influenza. There is a derogation under the EU Marketing Standards Regulations which allows for eggs from birds that are housed to be marketed as Free Range for a period of 16 weeks. The issue now arising is that the 16 weeks has elapsed for some birds, and the birds are still required by law to be kept indoors as the risk of Avian Influenza is still high. Under the EU Regulations, the eggs from laying hens that have been housed for a period of 16 weeks cannot be marketed as free range now that the derogation period has elapsed.
At the Council of Agriculture Ministers Meeting on the 21st February, I asked the European Commission to consider this issue and I supported a proposal for an extension to the 16-week period because it is essential for bio-security reasons to keep these housing measures in place for as long as is necessary.
The European Commission advised that it was not possible to amend the legal requirement for the current outbreak of avian influenza disease in 2022. However, the EU Commission has committed to examine this issue as part of the on-going review of EU Marketing Standards Legislation.
