UK residents will no longer be able to buy free-range eggs in the supermarket from today due to a huge outbreak of bird flu that has required egg-laying hens to be kept indoors.
A spike in cases has caused free-range eggs to vanish from shelves, as farmers have been required to keep their hens indoors for the past 16 weeks under government advice intended to stop the spread of avian flu cases.
Before Christmas, the UK’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss instructed farmers to keep their birds housed inside following the “largest-ever outbreak of bird flu”, but now, after four months indoors, their eggs can no longer legally be branded as free-range.
Instead, from Monday 21 March free-range eggs will be rebranded in supermarkets as ‘barn eggs’ – the name given to eggs produced by birds that are permanently kept indoors.
Whilst the UK has one of the largest flocks of free-range eggs in Europe, there are typically four different types of eggs sold in supermarkets here: organic, free-range, barn-reared and caged.
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Hens laying free-range eggs must, by law, have unlimited daytime access to open enclosures with at least 4 sq m space per bird.
In the barn system, by comparison, there can be as many as 9 hens housed indoors per square metre, whilst organic hens housed indoors are allowed a maximum of 6 in the same amount of space.
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Image: Rawpixel
EU law permits free-range laying hens to be kept indoors for up to 16 weeks before their eggs must be renamed as barn eggs.
That time period has now passed and, with orders to keep birds indoors now being extended, the indoor confinement looks set to continue for some time still.
So in response, the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has decided to relabel all commercial boxes of free-range eggs – for now, at least – to help level the playing field for farmers, the majority of whom are still allowed to let their birds outside if they follow “strict disease prevention measures”, says DEFRA.
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Prices are not affected, and farmers hope consumers will be supportive as they say the relabelling is just a technicality – adding that their hens are still free-range, just being temporarily housed inside.
Feature image – Pxhere
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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
21st March 2022 
