BFREPA respond to RSPCA 2023 Laying Hen Standards revisions

Published on : 11 Apr 2025

Gary Ford, Head of Strategy and Producer Engagement for the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA), responded to the RSPCA's announcement regarding revisions to the 2023 Laying Standard:

"We welcome the fact that nearly eighteen months after the RSPCA Amended laying hen welfare standards were announced in November 2023 the new standards have now been finalised.

"BFREPA, along with other industry representatives, have worked diligently and determinedly, over that period, to convey the strength of feeling of our members and that we need a pragmatic and workable outcome.

"The RSPCA rightly paused the implementation of the original standards to engage with industry to explore a way forward.

"We believe that the outcome of those discussions meets our aims whilst, at the same time, keeping the RSPCA as part of the free-range sector - a sector that stands for higher welfare which differentiates ourselves from other systems of production and imported product. At a time of great uncertainty and threats from overseas eggs, produced to different standards, this is crucially important to help secure our future and confidence in our sector.

"We will continue to represent our members with ongoing engagement with the RSPCA. This is crucial to ensure that our members views are represented at an early stage in standard development and to avoid the situation that we have seen over the past eighteen months.

"In addition, we will produce a series of worked examples to help our members understand the new standards and what it means to them."

BFREPA Chairman James Baxter said:

“BFREPA, on behalf of our members, have worked hard with RSCPA Assured to achieve a final result through extensive consultation RSPCA and discussion with producers. This included involving RSPCA Assured in the recent regional roadshows, where many took the opportunity to constructively raise their concerns. We’re grateful to all who provided feedback or attended these events. The presence of a such a well-recognised welfare protection trademark in our industry is absolutely necessary and provides all RSCPA Assured scheme members with true consumer value.

“We’ve now completed our period of consultation, and the implementation is down to us as industry. From this point, we at BFREPA will engage with packers, processors, retailers and food service outlets to understand their needs, aiming to secure the market clarity required to support the investment these new standards mandate.”