The standards were due to come in to effect on 7 October but the decision has been taken to consult further with the laying hen industry after a number of concerns were aired by free range egg producers.

BFREPA highlighted the proposed requirement to introduce raised perching for hens as a key concern for its membership. The organisation will now work with RSPCA Assured to ensure a full understanding of the issue and how it impacts on free range egg producers.

Myles Thomas, BFREPA Chairman and RSPCA Assured free range egg producer, said: “Leaders of the laying hen industry, the RSPCA and Freedom Food have met to discuss concerns raised by some producers regarding some of the recent changes to the RSPCA Assured welfare standards for laying hens.

“We are pleased that the RSPCA Assured scheme has listened to our concerns and decided to postpone the implementation of new standards.

“Discussions have been positive and we look forward to further consultation with the organisation to provide a better understanding of the concerns our members have raised.

“To this end we are proposing that BFREPA needs to be represented formally on the RSPCA Standards Technical Advisory Group so that we can be consulted regularly on changes to the standards.”