Bird flu precautions still threaten free-range status
The 5% of poultry meat production which is free range is also under threat, because EU regulations dictate that eggs and poultry meat can be marketed as free range for no more than 12 weeks of restrictions imposed on human or animal health grounds.
As the situation stands, they cannot be marketed as free range after the 12-week compulsory housing period in Ireland expires on March 17, unless the restriction is lifted in the meantime.
