Proposals for Fair Dealings Regulations in the Egg Sector

Published on : 12 Sep 2025

Defra have recently published version 2 of the regulations following consultation and feedback from stakeholders on version 1.1.

The aim of the regulations is to improve transparency and fairness in contracts between egg producers and buyers and applies to all UK businesses purchasing shell eggs directly, including for processing (liquid, powdered, boiled).

The changes that have been made to Version 2 include:

• Scope • Flexibility around supply period;
• Flexibility around supply volumes; • Pricing;
• Specification and grading;
• Charges and deductions;
• Termination;
• Dispute resolution.
• A 21 day cooling off period was originally included in version 1 but has been removed from version 2.

Some of the above changes were requested by ourselves including the scope which originally excluded processors who purchased eggs from farmers.

Defra have produced a ‘Summary of Responses: Proposals for Fair Dealings Regulations in the Egg Sector’ which explains the differences between he two versions and the rational.

Members are requested to feedback any comments or observations on Version 2 to Gary Ford by 9am Thursday 18th September to gary.ford@bfrepa.co.uk