Sir, In the letter 'Let's get rid of battery eggs' (The Grocer, 16 April), Alice Clark fails to mention that conventional battery cages are already in the process of being phased out, to be replaced by new more animal welfare-friendly enriched (colony) cages. In fact, most British Lion caged eggs already come from the new system.

The EU Welfare of Laying Hens Directive, which comes into force from 1 January 2012, requires conventional 'battery' cages to be replaced by larger and more animal welfare-friendly enriched cages that allow hens more freedom to express natural behaviours.

British Lion egg producers and egg product processors will meet the deadline and many producers have already invested heavily in the new systems. Virtually all of the eggs on supermarket shelves are already produced to British Lion standards and these will be compliant by 2012. However, many producers in other member states are struggling to meet the deadline and a surplus of products, produced to inferior welfare standards, may appear on the market.

The impact is likely to be greatest in the egg products market, which includes liquid egg and prepared products such as quiche, where traceability of imported egg is more difficult once the product is out of its shell.

Retailers, caterers and food manufacturers should specify British Lion standard to ensure they are sourcing compliant products, produced to the highest standards.

Andrew Parker, chairman, British Egg Industry Council