Labelling Also essential is the introduction of a mandatory labelling scheme applying to all eggs marketed in the EU whether domestically produced or imported. EU consumers must be enabled to make choices on the basis of accurate information as to production systems. It is clear that, when given such information, consumers are increasingly willing to buy non-cage eggs. Clearly the public is willing to pay extra to buy non-cage eggs. The creation of new jobs in rural areas is one important social benefit that will arise from switching to non-cage alternatives.
More labour is needed to look after free-range and barn hens than battery hens.
Extra labour costs will add less than 4 pence to the cost of producing six free-range eggs. A huge number of jobs have been lost on UK farms over the last few years. In 1985 the total labour force on UK farms was 693,200. By 1997 this figure had fallen to 605,000 a loss of 88,200 jobs in just twelve years. The increasing intensification of modern farming has clearly been a factor contributing to this high level of job losses.