Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the risk of increased imports of lower-welfare eggs following domestic reforms to housing systems for laying hens.

The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, sought views on that assessment. The consultation also sought additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports. We are now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.

This Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal, including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.