Matty Jackman says, "We must stop importing low-welfare eggs from abroad"
The Conservative candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale is campaigning against importing low-welfare eggs from overseas.
Between 2021 and August 2023 the number of eggs imported from Poland rose by more than 2,000%, from 46 consignments to 1,095.
According to Animal and Plant Health Agency figures, the number imported from Italy increased by almost 300% between 2022 and 2023, from 72 consignments to 279.
Experts worry the lower foreign standards for imported eggs would not conform to UK regulations and food standards.
Matty Jackman (Conservative Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale) is concerned that falling prices are already leading to a fall in domestic production. With a 10% fall in 2023 due to spiraling costs, the recent imports threaten domestic producers and food security in Britain.
Mr. Jackman said:
"It is disappointing to see an increase in imported low-welfare eggs from abroad."
"These eggs are often lower quality and in a case in 2023, a salmonella outbreak was linked to Polish eggs."
"At a time where producers are struggling, we need to support domestically. I would implore people to look for the 'Red Lion', which is a mark of quality and assurance of safety."
"The importing of low-welfare eggs undermines domestic producers and our animal welfare standards."
"I am calling on supermarkets and the Government to support our local farmers and protect our record on standards."
"It is time we stopped the importation of low-welfare eggs. UK eggs are held to a higher standard with which the imported eggs would not conform."
"During visits, farmers have highlighted that certain eggs imported from Poland can be traced back to Ukraine. It is worth noting that Ukraine has not prohibited the use of battery cages. This means that there is a significant chance that these eggs may have been produced in systems that are considered illegal in both the EU and the UK since 2012. My key concern is that this poses a challenge to the significant investments that UK poultry farmers have made over the years in developing high-welfare production systems."
(Image: Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash)
