This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Egg traceability to improve
04/12/2003
New legislation is to improve the traceability of Class
A eggs intended for human consumption.
From December 31, 2003 all egg producers in Scotland
with over 350 laying hens will be issued with a unique
producer code. Producers will be required to register with
the Executive's Eggs and Poultry Unit.
Easy to understand codes will identify the method of
production. Scottish producer codes will incorporate the
letters SCO.
Under separate legislation, these codes will be
stamped on all Class A eggs from 1 January 2004 ensuring
the traceability of eggs available for human consumption.
The new legislation is The Registration of
Establishments Keeping Laying Hens (Scotland) Regulations
2003. This transposes into domestic legislation Commission
Directive 2002/4/EC, which requires all laying hens
establishments under the scope of Council Directive
1999/74/EC (concerning the welfare of laying hens) to be
registered and allocated a distinguishing number.
Council Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90, as amended,
requires all eggs marketed as Class A to be marked with a
distinguishing code from 1 January 2004. This means that
some producers with fewer than 350 birds should also
register with the Eggs and Poultry Unit.
Producer codes must comprise a digit indicating the
farming method, the code of the Member State and a unique
identification number. After consultation with the
industry, the Executive decided upon a system that
incorporates the letters SCO within Scottish producer
codes. This decision has received strong support from
Scottish egg producers.
The main reason for the introduction of the
traceability legislation for eggs has been the salmonella
outbreaks experienced across Europe and beyond. It has
often been impossible to trace the precise source of
unmarked eggs that have been implicated in food poisoning
outbreaks. With the new legislation, traceability is
assured.