The Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025

Made: 16th September 2025

Coming into force: 17th September 2025

The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 37(1), 50(3)(a) and (d) of the Agriculture Act 2020[^f00001].

The Secretary of State has carried out a consultation, in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety[^f00002], in relation to the revisions to food law made by these Regulations.

In accordance with sections 37(6) and 50(6)(a) of the Agriculture Act 2020, a draft of this instrument has been laid before Parliament and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

Citation, commencement and extent

1

• (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025 and come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

• (2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.

Amendments to Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008

2

In Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 16 June 2008 as regards the marketing standards for poultrymeat[^f00003], in Annex 5, at the end of point (e), insert as new subparagraphs—

The second subparagraph does not apply to poultrymeat marketed in England. For poultrymeat marketed in England in the event of restrictions, including veterinary restrictions adopted under assimilated law to protect public and animal health, having the effect of restricting the access of poultry to open-air runs, poultry reared in accordance with the production methods described in points (c), (d) and (e) of the first subparagraph, with the exception of guinea fowls reared in percheries, may be marketed as ‘free-range’ notwithstanding that restriction.

Signed

Hayman of Ullock — Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — 16th September 2025

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Explanatory Note

These Regulations make an amendment to the legislation relating to the marketing of poultrymeat as free-range in the event of measures being adopted which restrict continuous daytime access of poultry to open-air runs in order to protect public and animal health.

Regulation 2 amends Annex 5 to Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 of 16 June 2008 laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for poultrymeat marketed in England. The amendment removes the maximum limit on the length of time that poultry can have their access to open-air runs restricted and still have their meat marketed as free-range in England.

A full impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. A de-minimis assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the cost of business has been prepared and is available from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 2020 c. 21.

[^f00002]: EUR 2002/178, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.

[^f00003]: EUR 2008/543, as amended by S.I. 2019/1422; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.