Defra policy to ease Christmas poultry rules

British poultry producers will be able to slaughter Christmas turkeys early, freeze, defrost them and still sell the meat as fresh, Defra has announced.

Retailers and suppliers had been calling on the government to make such a move as they look to kill turkeys early to avoid the further spread of the Avian Influenza virus through the poultry sector.

Note to seasonal poultry producers and retailers.
November 28th, 2022.
Marketing for sale of previously frozen seasonal poultry products

The current Avian Influenza outbreak is having a significant impact on many poultry keepers and farmers in England.

Defra has been approached by the poultry industry seeking our support for a proposal that, notwithstanding retained EU Regulations 1308/2013 and 543/2008, turkeys, whole and crowns, geese and ducks may temporarily be sold as ‘defrosted’. The effect of such a proposal is that producers and processors have the option of slaughtering their birds early, reducing the risk of AI infection between now and the normal slaughtering time, and freeze them, put them into storage and defrost them later for sale in time for Christmas. Defra ministers have agreed in principle to support this position on the following basis;

• This approach will apply to whole birds or crown of turkey, duck and goose, capons, and 2-3-bird roasts, as well as stuffed whole and crown of turkey, goose and duck (the “products”). No other poultry products such as chicken or processed products are included.

• Birds slaughtered early are frozen, and then defrosted for sale to consumers between the dates of 28th November and 31st December 2022 only. Affected product should not be sold beyond this date and a ‘use by’ date of 31 December, at the latest, will ensure this.

• The products must be labelled in compliance with food labelling regulations (in particular, retained EU Regulation 1169/2011 (FIC) Annex VI as regards the inclusion of the designation “defrosted”) but additionally the “defrosted” designation must be prominent on the front of pack (principal field of vision).

• There must, where appropriate, be in-store signage and online information for consumers. The information required to be given to consumers, including storage and use guidance, must as always reflect best industry practice. The government view is that the provision on which flexibility is sought does not in itself present any increased food safety risks to consumers, provided that, in accordance with food law:

• industry freezes and thaws the product under suitable conditions;

• these conditions are monitored;

• there are measures in place to ensure that product sold as chilled has been thoroughly defrosted;

• the shelf life for defrosted product is appropriate.

This decision regarding a temporary flexibility is not a change in the law, and traders wanting to make use of this easement should consult with their Trading Standards Officer or Primary Authority in making these changes to their operations. Trading Standards in England have been notified of the above and requested to apply a proportionate and risk-based approach in the current circumstances.

This policy position has been agreed for England and is awaiting confirmation in Wales. The Scottish Government are also considering with a view to communicating their decision shortly. It will not be available for affected products sold in NI due to the NI Protocol.

 

Gov.UK