Lockhart urging government to ‘crack down’ on imported eggs
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on DEFRA and the Labour Government to urgently ‘crack down’ on imported eggs, warning that current policy threatens the viability of the UK egg industry while undermining consumer confidence and food safety.
The MP highlighted that egg imports have surged by 60% since 2021, with a significant proportion coming from countries such as Poland and Ukraine, where exports to the UK increased by more than 65% in 2025 alone. She warned that many of these eggs are produced to low standards, including the use of conventional battery cages which have been banned in the UK since 2012.
The DUP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson said: “Fresh eggs are versatile and nutritious, and an affordable source of protein. More than 14 billion eggs are consumed in the UK annually, 1.6 billion of these are imported – a figure which is rising rapidly.
“Farmers in GB and Northern Ireland are committed to the industry and have invested heavily in their businesses. They must not be undermined or undercut by imported eggs that fall short of UK standards. The Government must ensure that there is a level playing field for its farmers.
“British farmers have invested an estimated £400m in enriched cages and free-range systems to comply with world-leading welfare and food safety rules. It is outrageous that they have to standby whilst being undercut by cheaper imports produced under less rigorous regulations. This represents a serious competitive imbalance.”
Ms Lockhart also raised concerns about food safety, pointing to reports linking imported eggs to higher risks of Salmonella, recent incidents across Europe involving antibiotic residues and chemical contamination, and violations of hen welfare.
She stressed that while more than 90% of UK eggs are produced under the British Lion Code of Practice, including vaccination against Salmonella, imported eggs are not independently audited to the same standards.
The MP highlighted that loopholes in current policy also allow lower-standard eggs to enter the UK market in processed forms, such as liquid or powdered egg, and warned that labelling such products as ‘not to UK standard’ is insufficient to support domestic producers of maintain consumer confidence.
Ms Lockhart is calling on retailers, manufacturers and those involved in food service, to review their procurement policies to strengthen traceability. She said: “The Government must ensure that any eggs or egg products entering the UK meet the same high standards required of our farmers. That means stronger border controls, robust inspections, and an end to the double standards that are putting both our industry and consumers at risk.”
Carla Lockhart MP is urging the Government to prioritise home-produced eggs. “It is crucial to protect producers, safeguard consumer confidence, and uphold food safety and hen welfare. Imported eggs also have a larger carbon footprint.”
She warned that plans to ban enriched colony cages, without first addressing import standards, could accelerate the decline of the UK’s domestic egg sector, increase reliance on imports, and ultimately reduce consumer choice - particularly for affordable eggs which are used daily in many households.
The MP said: “Numerous local egg producers have reached out to me recently, concerned, by DEFRA’s proposals to reform policy on the welfare of laying hens. The consultation, which ended on 9th March, seeks to phase out existing enriched colony cages and ban the installation of new cages.
“There are huge industry concerns, specifically around the ban on all cage systems for hens, pullets and breeder layers. Egg producers, have already went to significant expense, transforming poultry houses and installing enriched colony cages, in response to existing government policy. Modern sheds have extra space, resting areas, litter for scratching and perches, which comply to world-leading welfare standards.
“An EU consultation has proposed to phrase out caged egg production. It is unknown if a full ban will be legislated, but if it is, the transition will take place over a minimum ten year period,” she said.
“DEFRA’s consultation proposes a five year transition period. If implemented, this will have deeply damaging consequences for British egg producers. Especially when EU countries will have at least ten years to implement similar changes.”
Ms Lockhart concluded: “I will continue to speak up on behalf of our farmers, the people who feed the nation. The Government’s plan risks undermining competitiveness and industry viability. If implemented, a policy re-think is crucial as current legislation allows tariff-free imports which will potentially open the floodgates to battery cage eggs.”