This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Thursday, 8 September 2022
Free (Cooking) Range?
The European Commission (EC) is considering removing the current time limit on chickens being able to go outside, for their eggs to be marketed as 'free range' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/08/free-range-eggs-in-eu-could-be-from-birds-housed-all-their-lives-indoors). Bird 'flu poses a serious danger to poultry flocks. The virus can be transmitted by migrating wildbirds. Farmers are tending (in some places ordered) to keep their birds indoors, to reduce their risk of infection. The change could, however, result in 'free range' eggs, being from chickens who have never once stepped outdoors. This would make the 'free range' designation entirely meaningless. Perhaps, the EC should concentrate on other measures of bird welfare in egg production and a new label?
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