# Free-range egg producers face big losses from bird flu crisis | News | The Grocer

> About 27% of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association's members, more than 500 farms, are in Defra's high-risk bird flu zones. Eggs from hens kept housed after 28 February will lose free-range status under EU rules and be sold as barn eggs. Retailers have warned of the effects, and the government plans to ease some restrictions.

- Date: 2017-02-23 · published 2017-02-23T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: disease · region UK · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/72517-free-range-egg-producers-face-big-losses-from-bird-flu-crisis-news-the-grocer
- Commodities: [Chicken](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CHICKEN.md)

## Why it matters

Downgrading of free-range eggs cuts producer income and shifts returns across the egg sector, with limited direct effect on feed grain demand. Any extended housing order would increase losses.

## Sources

- thegrocer.co.uk: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/free-range-egg-producers-face-big-losses-from-bird-flu-crisis/549021.article

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.