Stuart Anderson MP has raised urgent concerns about the impact of Ukrainian egg imports on British farmers as part of his ongoing campaign to champion local farmers and enhance domestic food security.
In Parliament, Stuart has urged the Labour Rural Research Group to oppose the overwhelming influx of Ukrainian eggs, which he has said are produced to lower standards that risk undercutting British farmers.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Anderson urged the Labour Rural Research Group to oppose the overwhelming influx of Ukrainian eggs, which are produced to lower standards and undercutting British producers.
In Parliament, Stuart said:
“The hon. Member spoke about the Labour Rural Research Group. Will it stand with the Opposition in rejecting Ukrainian eggs coming into the UK and undercutting British farmers?”
On behalf of the Labour Rural Research Group, Maya Ellis said:
“The hon. Gentleman raises a really important point. We have spoken about that issue with Ministers; is an important conversation that we absolutely have to have.”
The figures are stark. In the first five months of 2025, shell egg imports into the UK were up 22 per cent, amounting to an extra 4.7 million dozen - with the increased numbers coming entirely from outside of the EU. Ukraine and Poland have overtaken other EU countries to become the UK's biggest egg suppliers. Ukrainian suppliers Avangardo and Ovostar Union are now planning a further push into the UK market following an increase in import tariffs on exports to the EU over concerns that cheaper Ukrainian eggs were flooding the bloc. The existing two-year deal to allow tariff-free access for Ukrainian eggs and poultry meat to the UK was set to run to March 2026 but the government has agreed to extend tariff liberalisation until 31st March 2028.
Avangardo and Ovostar Union both utilise battery cages, a practice that has been banned in the UK since 2012. Stuart has said that this risks allowing millions more eggs from battery cage systems, which have been prohibited in the UK for more than a decade. Stuart has said that British farmers are already facing rising production costs, driven by higher animal welfare, environmental, and food safety requirements. Stuart has added that eggs imported from abroad should be produced to equivalent welfare standards. The government intends to ban the use of enriched cages in the UK, despite continuing to permit imports which do not achieve these standards.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"“Whilst we of course want to support the Ukraine, it cannot be at the expense of British farmers who have to undergo much more stringent regulatory requirements. The safety of our food sources is of paramount importance, and these concerns need to be addressed by the Government. This is not just about protecting British farmers; it's about ensuring the integrity of our food system and safeguarding public health. It's time for the Government to stand up for British producers and ensure that our food security is not compromised."
