Egg industry criticises low-quality, tariff-free imports from Ukraine

British egg industry leaders have accused the UK government of undermining domestic producers and misleading consumers after agreeing to extend tariff-free imports of Ukrainian eggs.

Chris Bryant, minister of state for the Department for Business and Trade, said: “Given that our agreement with Ukraine on poultry and eggs is due to expire at the end of March, the government has agreed with Ukraine to extend tariff liberalisation on these two products for two years, from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2028.”

Industry bodies say the decision will allow millions more eggs from battery cage systems – prohibited in the UK for more than a decade – to enter the British market.

See also: Farmer anger as Ukrainian cage eggs undercut UK market

The criticism follows a separate announcement last week that the government intends to ban the use of enriched cages in the UK, despite continuing to permit imports from both those systems, and more basic barren cages.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), said: “The actions of this government show that it simply doesn’t care about British consumers or British farmers.

“This policy is deeply flawed and lacks proper consideration of its consequences.”

He added: “Across Europe, food safety concerns have already emerged in relation to Ukrainian eggs, with millions exported into the UK and EU.

“The UK government has effectively created an open door for the dumping of battery eggs produced to standards far below those required of British eggs and illegal to be produced in the UK,” he said.

Competitive disadvantage

According to the BEIC, this approach exposes consumers to lower welfare and safety standards while placing British producers at a competitive disadvantage.

“The UK produces eggs to world-leading welfare and food safety standards,” Mr Allen said.

He added that the policy “raises serious questions about what outcomes the government expects to achieve”.

James Baxter, chairman of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (Bfrepa), said support for Ukraine should come from public funds rather than trade concessions.

“While we support the Ukrainian people as they approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion, we believe that support should be from general taxation,” he said.

Following the announcement, the BEIC and Bfrepa have written to the prime minister and relevant departments seeking an urgent meeting to discuss their concerns.