“The adoption by legislators to apply the regulations amended by the European Commission, which are binding on producers to mark eggs at the place of production, has far-reaching negative consequences for Polish producers. According to EU regulations, egg marking will have to take place at the place of production. Meanwhile, most domestic producers stamp eggs at the place of packaging, i.e. in sorting plants. Any changes to the current regulations will therefore be associated with significant disruptions to the operation of the internal market. From a trade perspective, this will result in a shortage of eggs and products containing eggs on the shelves, as well as a significant increase in their prices,” PIH reported.
Marking eggs at the place of production
According to the organization, the provisions of the EU regulation, which introduce the requirement to mark eggs at the place of production, also open up the possibility for member states to allow an exception to this rule, based on clearly defined criteria, allowing eggs to be marked at the first packing plant to which the eggs are delivered. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development does not plan to establish regulations enabling such actions.
“Potential changes to the current regulations related to egg labeling will result in a lack of a wide range of products on store shelves. The changes will also significantly increase the prices of eggs and products containing eggs, which in the long term will become a pro-inflationary factor,” said Maciej Ptaszyński, president of the Polish Chamber of Commerce, quoted in the release.
Poland is a leader in egg production
According to data from the European Commission, Poland is the sixth largest egg producer in the EU. We are ahead of France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
Eggs in Poland are mainly produced in the cage system, in which over 70 percent of the Polish laying hens are bred. According to estimates by the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate, there are 51.5 million places registered for laying hens in Poland. (PAP)
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