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IH examines egg labeling – markets are the worst
Meanwhile, most domestic producers stamp eggs at the place of packing, i.e. in sorting centers. Any changes to the existing regulations will therefore result in significant disruptions to the operation of the internal market. From a trade perspective, this will result in a lack of eggs and egg-containing products on the shelves, as well as a significant increase in their prices.
Changes related to European legislation are not necessary
From 8 November 2024, after the entry into force of the regulations regarding marketing standards for eggs, egg marking will have to be done at the place of production. However, the same article opens the possibility for Member States to allow, on the basis of clearly defined criteria, an exception to this rule, allowing eggs to be marked at the first packing center to which the eggs are delivered. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development does not envisage establishing regulations enabling these activities.
– The egg industry is strategic from the point of view of food security. Therefore, the challenges it faces are also important for trade. Any changes to the current regulations related to egg labeling will result in the lack of a wide range of products on store shelves. The changes will also significantly increase the prices of eggs and products containing eggs, which in the long run will become a pro-inflation factor, comments Maciej Ptaszyński, president of the Polish Chamber of Commerce.
There are a number of aspects in favor of maintaining the existing regulations
The heart of EU legislation is to ensure full traceability of eggs. The marking methods currently used by Polish producers at the packaging stage already guarantee it. Therefore, there is no need to revolutionize a process that serves its purpose.
Marking eggs at the sorting plant gives the producer the opportunity to classify eggs, which is not possible when marking eggs at the place of production.
In the event that a product is rejected as "animal by-product" during sorting (at the sorting facility), the producer no longer has to stamp it. If stamping takes place at the place of production, all eggs would have to be stamped because the producer does not carry out the stamping there. product selection.
Regulations requiring eggs to be stamped at the place of production, where there may be dirty and unsorted eggs, have consequences for the quality of the stamp. It will be incomplete or illegible if it is dirty. Egg marking at the sorting center is preceded by the elimination of dirty and cracked eggs, and there is no risk of an illegible or incomplete stamp.
Manufacturers have developed a standard stamp format for many years. Nevertheless, export customers require Polish egg producers to also include other information on the stamp. It is technologically impossible to obtain a non-standard stamp on the farm – i.e. at the place of production. If the customer needs to prepare eggs with a non-standard stamp, the producer must re-stamp the eggs at the sorting plant.
Moreover, the correct interpretation of the regulations may also be a problem. Polish egg producers have locations where there are only farms producing table eggs or farms producing table eggs in which packing rooms are also located. In the context of amended EU regulations on egg labeling at the place of production, producers have doubts as to what is meant by the term "place of production" in order to be able to meet EU requirements.
The good reputation of Polish egg producers around the world will be at risk
The reasons for not changing the regulations are not only technological and economic, but also image-related. Polish producers have a good reputation on the European and global markets. Changing the current business model means the risk of losing it.
– Poland is one of the largest egg producers in Europe. In 2022, the value of Polish egg exports was as much as PLN 2.6 billion. Let's not change standards that work effectively and are appreciated in other markets, emphasizes Maciej Ptaszyński.
The developed infrastructure and logistics of production and distribution, as well as investments in modern technology, have allowed Polish egg producers to develop quality systems that have been accredited by domestic recipients, retail chains and international partners. Above all, they also ensure full traceability of eggs, which is the aim of European Commission regulations. Preventing further marking of eggs at the point of production will require changes that will pose a number of challenges to the egg industry. The lack of efficient operation of the egg industry will have a direct impact on the food market and trade.
