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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th March 2012
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Egg shortage possible for NI
Ban on battery cages blamed

The Ulster Farmer's Union (UFU) has warned that Northern Ireland may face an egg shortage as a result of the ban on battery cages. UFU Poultry Chairman John McLenaghan has argued that the expense of transitioning from battery cages to 'enriched' cages that place a greater emphasis on the animals' welfare has forced up to 15% of NI's producers out of business, leading to a drop in production. It is possible that prices will rise as a result.

Mr McLenaghan added that he felt supermarkets should be ‘prepared to pay a fair price if they want to maintain their supply base of quality eggs produced to the highest welfare standards in the world'.

A ban on battery cages came into force on January 1st 2012 as a result of European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC. The larger 'enriched' cages mandated by the Directive give the chickens a greater cage space of 750 cm² per hen (of which 600 cm² should be 45 cm high), a littered area for scratching and pecking, a nest, a claw shortening device, and 15 cm of perch and 12 cm of food trough per hen, thus improving their living conditions, quality of life and general welfare in a meaningful sense. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.