News
Changes to legislation - Free Range Status during AI restrictions
Please note the attached link. This amending legislation removes the 16-week limit on the length of time packs of Class A eggs can continue to be marked as “free-range” where the laying hens’ daytime access to open-air runs is restricted. It provides that eggs can be marked as “free-range” notwithstanding any temporary restriction imposed on the basis of assimilated law to protect public or animal health. The start and finish time of any restriction imposed on free range flocks without them losing their Free-Range status lies in Scotland with the Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland). Please feel free to share.
The Free-Range Egg Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (legislation.gov.uk)
Kind regards
Scottish Government Poultry Branch |Directorate for Agriculture & Rural Delivery |Animal Health & Welfare Division|P Spur, Saughton House |Broomhouse Drive |Edinburgh EH11 3XD |0300 2449857 |
The Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Breeding, Laying and Broiler Flocks) (Scotland) Order 2009 - ARH registered producers and breeders - 18 Dec 2024
Following a review of legislation, it has come to our attention that the Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Breeding, Laying and Broiler Flocks) (Scotland) Order 2009 does not include a requirement to record movements for laying or breeding flocks. Article 11 “Records of movements” of the Order currently only applies to broiler flocks.
Previously, those acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers could request movement records under the Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Scotland) Order 2008, however, when this Order was revoked and replaced with the 2009 Order this provision was not transposed for the laying and breeding flocks. We are therefore proposing to amend the 2009 Order to extend the requirements within Article 11 to the laying and breeding sectors.
We will be taking forward this amendment through the Disease Control (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2025 which will be laid on 20 March and come into force on 15 May 2025. Full details of the proposed amendment are contained within the attached letter.
Please note that a copy of this letter also been sent separately to poultry industry representatives as well.
17 December 2024
Dear Sir/Madam
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONTROL OF SALMONELLA IN POULTRY (BREEDING, LAYING AND BROILER FLOCKS) (SCOTLAND) ORDER 2009
I am writing to inform you of a proposed amendment to the Salmonella in Poultry (Breeding, Laying and Broiler Flocks) (Scotland) Order 2009. The Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Breeding, Laying and Broiler Flocks) (Scotland) Order 2009 came into force on 26 June 2009 and enforces assimilated EU legislation 2160/2003, 200/2010, 517/2011, and 200/2012. It revoked and remade the Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Scotland) Order 2008 to extend sampling provision to broiler flocks of birds of the species Gallus gallus. Following a review of the legislation, it has come to our attention that the Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Breeding, Laying and Broiler Flocks) (Scotland) Order 2009 does not include a requirement to record movements for laying or breeding flocks. Article 11 “Records of movements” of the Order currently only applies to broiler flocks. This means that although those acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers could ask for these records, they can only be requested when necessary to ascertain compliance with the rules on the National Control Programmes. Previously, those acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers could request movement records under the Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Scotland) Order 2008, however, when this Order was revoked and replaced with the 2009 Order this provision was not transposed for the laying and breeding flocks. In England and Wales, these records can be requested through the Control of Salmonella Order 2007 and the Control of Salmonella (Wales) Order 2008 respectively. To ensure consistency in policy across Great Britain we are proposing to amend Article 11 of the Control of Salmonella in Poultry (Breeding, Laying and Broiler Flocks) (Scotland) Order 2009 which will extend the requirement to record the following movements on and off the holding, as is already the requirement for broiler flocks: Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD www.gov.scot
• the date of the movement;
• whether the movement was on to or off the holding;
• the number of birds moved;
• the age of the birds moved;
• in the case of the movement of an entire flock, the identification of that flock, where there is more than one flock on the holding;
• the identity of the building or group of buildings in to or from which the birds were moved; and
• (the address of the holding that they came from or were sent to. These records will be reviewed when official samples are taken under the National Control Programme.
We will be taking forward this amendment through the Disease Control (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2025 which will be laid on 20 March and coming into force on 15 May 2025. The recording requirements will apply to new records only from the 15 May 2025 and no retrospective recording will be required. If you have any questions about this legislative change please contact us at animal.health@gov.scot.
Yours sincerely Caroline Blair
Disease Control Branch: Endemics Tea