Steve Beasant

Liberal Democrat MEP for London Sarah Ludford has welcomed an assurance by the European Commission that EU states failing to comply with improved welfare rules for egg-laying hens will if necessary be taken to taken to the European court.

Sarah Ludford commented: “This assurance is the result of intense political pressure by Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament. It would be intolerable if UK egg producers investing in bigger and better cages suffered from illegal competitors undercutting their prices by persisting in poor welfare standards.”

“The Commission has rightly refused to postpone the legal deadline for the ban on battery cages. The Brussels authorities must continue to back countries such as the UK which are striving to stop illegally produced eggs entering their markets.”

“London consumers need to be confident that the eggs they are buying are from healthy and well kept hens. Food manufacturers and retailers must pledge not to use or sell ‘cruelty eggs’.”