Shortages of barn eggs loom in the wake of a major bird flu outbreak that saw nearly half the national barn egg flock culled.
The outbreak at the Oaklands Farm Eggs site near Wem in Shropshire on 20 January resulted in the death of 1.6 million birds, according to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association.
That’s nearly half the total barn flock, which previously stood at about 2.8 million birds.
The association expects to see shortages of barn eggs in retail as a result of the outbreak.
“The recent news will have long-term consequences, not only for the cage-free egg sector but also the wider UK egg sector, given the sheer number of birds involved,” said Gary Ford, PR and policy advisor at BFREPA.
Ford added the news was “devastating for the family business concerned”.
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The situation across the sector could become worse as “there is still some time to go before the higher-risk period for avian influenza ends in the spring”, he warned.
“Farmers are very concerned and worried about the current outbreak with a widespread feeling of vulnerability,” said Ford.
The organisation has called for the implementation of a housing order for free-range laying hens across Britain to reduce the risk of contact with wild birds.
The British Egg Industry Council agreed the outbreak was “significant”. However, rather than half the flock, it estimated the outbreak had wiped out around third of barn egg supply.
“The national flock is still far greater than it has been for several years,” chairman Mark Williams added. But there “may be some short-term disruption to barn egg supply”.
It comes as the government announced an avian influenza prevention zone last month. The move requires all keepers to conduct enhanced biosecurity to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
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