Free-range egg demand predicted to rise significantly

Predictions are that free-range eggs will account for 55% of British egg production by 2012, requiring another 9 million free-range hens. Currently 33% of eggs are free range.

The increase will be driven by new EU restrictions on the use of hen cages, as well as growing demand from UK retailers and consumers.

However, National Farmers' Union poultry board chairman Charles Bourns has raised concerns that planning permission - for extra land - was already causing problems.

"If people want this food and they want it to be local then it has to be produced somewhere. It is a big problem and I see that as the major stumbling block."

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