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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Egg marketing

    Topics:
    • Livestock Farming, 
    • Poultry and eggs

    The EU Eggs Marketing Standards lay down uniform standards for all hen eggs marketed within the Community, intended for human consumption. The rules include requirements for grading (by quality and weight), stamping, packaging, labelling, marking and production methods (Organic, Free Range, Barn or Cage) as well as storage and transport. However, there are certain exemptions for direct sales from producer to consumer.

    DAERA's responsibilties

    The Department is responsible for the enforcement of the regulations at:

    • egg packing centres
    • egg wholesalers
    • egg collectors
    • egg production units

    Regular inspections are carried out to ensure that the premises are registered or authorised as appropriate, that the rules are complied with and that the necessary records are maintained.

    Application form - packing centre authorisation

    Packing centre authorisation, is a downloadable application form for egg packing centre authorisation

    Under EU egg marketing regulations, only authorised egg packing centres may grade eggs and pack or repack graded eggs.

    • Application for authorisation of an egg packing centre EMR2

    Application form – packing centre designation

    In the event of an incidence of Avian Influenza within Northern Ireland, movement controls may be implemented which could affect the operation of a packing centre. In order, to be able to continue to receive eggs from any producers affected by movement controls, the packing centre is required to be designated.

    • Egg packing centre - application for designation

    Egg marketing - guidance leaflets

    Eggs - Farm Shop Sales

    This leaflet provides guidance for egg producers and retailers who wish to sell hen eggs at a “farm shop”. It provides brief details on the different requirements that apply depending upon where the farm shop is situated.

    • Eggs - Farm Shop Sales

    Producing and selling eggs - FAQ guidance leaflet

    A leaflet for egg producers which addresses some of the frequently asked questions concerning egg production. It provides basic information on regulations which apply to egg production, including use of the term “Free Range”, registration of production units, permitted forms of egg sales and requirements for grading eggs if selling to shops or bakeries.

    • Producing and selling eggs - FAQ guidance leaflet

    Egg labelling requirements EMR11A

    A leaflet for commercial egg production and handling businesses which provides an at-a-glance list of labelling requirements for ungraded eggs on farm, graded Class A and Class B eggs, and industrial eggs which are not for human consumption.

    • Table eggs - labelling requirements

    Producer (registration, stamping and marketing) flowchart

    A step-by-step guide for egg producers on production site registration and egg stamping requirements, dependant on flock size and types of egg sales.

    • Egg producers - registration, egg stamping and marketing flowchart

    Methods of egg production

    This leaflet details the EU Egg Marketing legislation relating to the prescribed methods of egg production indicated on Class A eggs and packs including: Free Range, Barn and Enriched Cage production.

    • Table eggs - methods of production

    Producer deliveries – stamping and containers

    A leaflet for egg producers providing brief guidance on egg stamping and labelling requirements for eggs delivered to various types of egg handling businesses. The requirements may differ depending upon whether these businesses are situated in the same or different Member State from where the eggs are produced, and whether or not producers and businesses have been granted exemptions from egg marking requirements by the relevant Authorities.

    • Producer deliveries, stamping and containers - guidance leaflet

    Packing centre records

    Information in table form for Egg Packing Centres on record-keeping required by EU Egg Marketing regulations. This includes records of eggs received or purchased, eggs graded, eggs delivered or sold and egg stock records.

    • Packing centre records - guidance leaflet

    Explanation of egg code

    EU Egg Marketing regulations require an explanation of the code stamped on eggs to be printed on egg packs, or on a sign beside eggs sold loose from open trays. This leaflet provides examples of the explanations which may be used in Northern Ireland.

    • Explanation of egg code - examples

    Retail - loose sales

    This leaflet provides guidance for retailers on requirements relating to the sale of eggs presented to the consumer loose on trays rather than in packs or cartons. This includes the information, normally on egg packs, which must be displayed beside the loose eggs at point of sale.

    • Egg sales (retail) guidance leaflet

    Local public market – stamping

    This leaflet provides guidance for egg producers who wish to sell their ungraded eggs at a local market. It provides brief details on producer registration requirements, whether eggs must be stamped with a code and the information to be provided to consumers at point of sale.

    • Ungraded eggs sold at local public markets - guidance leaflet

    Collectors and packing centres - procedures and requirements

    Guidance leaflet for egg collectors and egg packing centres, detailing key requirements and procedures concerning egg stamping, labelling, documentation and records for eggs collected from farm and delivered to packing centres.

    • Egg collectors and packing centres - procedures and requirements

    Egg marketing regulations

    The page contains regulations for Egg Marketing for both the EU and Northern Ireland.

    EU Regulations:

    • Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation)
    • Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products
    • Commission Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs

    Northern Ireland Regulations:

    • The Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

    Related content

    • An introduction to poultry and eggs farming
    • Animal Inventory Returns
    • Eggs and egg products exports
    • Food hygiene requirements at egg producers
    • Hatching eggs, hatcheries and breeding farms
    • Poultry and eggs contacts
    • Poultry management notes
    • Poultry meat marketing
    • Poultry news
    • Registration of laying hen establishments
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