Duck assurance opens to eggs

The British Poultry Council‘s Duck Assurance Scheme, previously only open to meat producers, has now expanded into duck eggs.

Developed by the BPC as a duck-specific version of The Lion Code, the scheme hopes to promote high-quality production with standards checked by an independent accreditation body and managed by the BPC’s Technical Advisory Committee.

Since its launch last year, the scheme has accredited 54 farms, four hatcheries and three processing facilities and covers the whole supply chain from breeder to rearing, processing and staff training, welfare and environmental protection.

Britain’s largest duck egg producer, Watercress Lane, already has its own in house duck egg accreditation service known as the ‘Blue Egg’, which appears on all its products and guarantees quality, vaccination of the birds and the conditions in which they live.