New report intensifies pressure on Government over imported egg standards

Published on : 24 Mar 2026

Egg imports into the UK have risen by 60% since 2021

Mounting political and industry pressure is building on the Government to tighten controls on imported eggs, following the publication of a new report warning of escalating risks to food safety, hen welfare and consumer confidence.

The Shell Shocked report has reinforced concerns already raised by MPs in recent months, where calls have been made in Parliament for the Government to ensure imported eggs and egg products meet the same standards required of British producers.

Those earlier interventions highlighted the growing disparity between UK production, governed by strict legal and assurance requirements, and imports produced under systems no longer permitted domestically.

The latest findings suggest the issue is accelerating. Egg imports into the UK have risen by 60% since 2021, increasing from around 1 billion to 1.6 billion eggs annually. Ukraine has emerged as a key source of that growth, with exports to the UK rising by 65.6% in 2025, with most production still based on conventional cage systems banned in the UK since 2012.

The British Egg Industry Council said the report underlines the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate Government action.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the BEIC, said the risks are now clear.

“This report highlights the real and urgent risks that inferior imports pose for consumers and the wider food industry.

“Any consumer would be appalled at what the Government is doing to undermine their safety. More than 90% of eggs produced in the UK are covered by the British Lion Code of Practice, one of the most comprehensive food safety schemes in the world. British farmers have invested hundreds of millions of pounds to meet these standards, including vaccination against Salmonella and not using conventional battery cages.

“Allowing lower standard imports to undercut UK egg producers is not protectionism, it risks undermining consumer safety, public confidence in eggs and the resilience of our domestic food supply.”

The report also draws attention to a series of egg related food safety incidents across Europe, including 123 confirmed illnesses in the UK in late 2025 linked to a single imported egg distributor, more than 200 UK cases in 2024 associated with imported Polish eggs, and alerts involving banned antibiotic residues in Ukrainian eggs entering European markets. Investigations in Sweden have also linked Salmonella outbreaks to Ukrainian imports.

Food safety expert Dr Lisa Ackerley, who reviewed import controls for the report, said current border systems are not sufficient to detect or prevent risks.

“Most consignments are not physically inspected, testing is risk triggered rather than systematic, and sampling frequencies are not publicly disclosed. As a result, contamination or residues may only be identified once illness occurs or overseas alerts are issued, meaning product may already be in kitchens, factories or on shelves.

“It is also worth noting that British Lion eggs are Food Standards Agency approved for vulnerable groups to consume runny, while imports are not. That is a serious food safety risk for imports.”

Under the current Border Target Operating Model, imported eggs are classified as medium risk, with only a proportion of consignments physically inspected and no requirement for routine microbiological or residue testing at that level.

The Shell Shocked report calls on the Government to align import standards with UK food safety and hen welfare rules, introduce systematic testing and strengthen border inspections. It also urges retailers, manufacturers and foodservice operators to review sourcing policies and ensure full traceability within their supply chains.

The renewed calls from industry, combined with earlier pressure from MPs, point to a growing expectation that Government policy will need to address the widening gap between domestic standards and imported production systems as volumes continue to rise.

DOWNLOAD THE BLEP SHELL SHOCKED REPORT V13 HERE