Free-range eggs set to return to supermarkets after ‘bird flu lockdown’ ends

Egg-laying hens will finally be allowed outside again after five months indoors due to the spread of bird flu.

The government is set to lift the national housing order – or ‘avian flu lockdown’ – from midnight next Tuesday.

This means eggs laid by hens with access to outside areas can once again be labelled as free range.

Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said the risk of bird flu infection due to the measures – but said bird keepers should still stick to ‘stringent standards of biosecurity’.

‘Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe,’ she added.

‘It is thanks to the hard work of all bird keepers and vets who have played their part in keeping flocks safe this winter that we are in a position to take this action.

‘However, the unprecedented nature of this outbreak has proven it’s more important than ever for bird keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity.’

The national housing order was made on November 7 after an unprecedented number of bird flu cases were recorded in the UK – more than 330 since October 2021.

Despite the lifting of this rule, any captive birds and other poultry under a specified protection zone must still remain inside.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) warned the virus may still be circulating in the environment for several more weeks.

Birdkeepers should still disinfect housing, clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles after contact with captive birds.

The movement of potential virus carriers such as people and vehicles to and from bird areas should be reduced and contact with wild birds should be cut off.

Vermin should be controlled and keepers should keep an eye out for any symptoms of bird flu.

They are asked to report any suspicion of disease to Defra.

The UK Health Security Agency said avian viruses do not spread easily to humans and has so far found no positive cases in people.

But it advises people avoid contact with any sick or dead wild birds, and to wash their hands after feeding wild birds.

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