Egg week recipies from UK chefs

British chefs have rallied to the cause of egg producers ahead of the introduction of the 2012 cage-ban, fighting against the threat of illegal imports from EU countries which have failed to move hens into new enriched cages.

Marcus Wareing, Gary Rhodes and a host of others such as Tom Aikens, Paul Merrett, Annabel Karmel and Antony Worrall Thompson, are encouraging consumers to buy only ‘Lion Brand’ accredited eggs to ensure UK producers aren’t undercut by illegal eggs from within the EU.

One method being used to reach consumers is a new website set up by the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), which will showcase the chefs’ favourite egg recipes. The implications of the cage-ban will also be discussed on the website with advice on how to ensure eggs are legal.

“The UK egg industry is facing one of its biggest-ever challenges and we are delighted with the support we have received from Britain’s top chefs,” Andrew Parker, chairman of the BEIC said.

“British Egg Week will not only be a fantastic showcase for egg recipes, but will also help safeguard the future of British Lion egg producers.”

A majority of birds in the UK have being already converted to free-range production or into enriched cages which meet requirements of the EU conventional cage-ban, well ahead of most of the other EU-27 member states.