'Lets shell out for free range eggs in our schools'

8:08pm Monday 25th February 2008

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A COUNCIL'S champion for young people is calling for free range eggs to be introduced in the kitchens of all Lancashire's schools.

Lancashire county councillor Sean Serridge said the use of "cruelty-free" eggs in cooking would provide more nutritious meals for pupils and help them develop a more considerate approach to food.

He now wants the council to consider making the switch from battery to free-range in all 650 of its schools.

Coun Serridge, who is the council's Champion for Young People and represents Whitworth, said: "The council acts as the supplier to the schools so they have to use the eggs they are given and at the moment these are battery eggs. I think that is appalling.

"Experts say the free range hens are free to roam so they get less stressed and the farmers don't use as many chemicals or hormones - that has got to make them better for children. They will also learn the importance of thinking about what types of food they are eating."

The free range system accounts for around 27 per cent of eggs produced in the UK.

The Welfare Of Laying Hens Directive, a system of standardising egg production laid down by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, stipulates that for eggs to be termed "free range", hens must have continuous daytime access to runs mainly covered with vegetation, with a maximum of 2,500 birds per hectare.

The Lion Quality Code - a high benchmark in food safety - additionally stipulates outdoor shading and one pop-hole (exit hole) per 600 birds, open eight hours per day to allow access to the outside.

Coun Serridge added: "I know there will be quite large financial implications when taking on free-range eggs but I think we should follow what major supermarkets have done. If places like McDonalds can use free-range eggs then so can we.

"Some councils have already introduced free range eggs. If Lancashire followed suit it would be the largest county in the country to do it.

"We are supposed to be a caring council and the ingredients that we use in school meals should reflect that.

Rossendale-based Chris Ashton, who runs Top o'th Meadow Farm Eggs with his wife Becky, backed the call to move to free range. He said: "Happy hens make happy eggs. Free range birds have a much better lifestyle and are fed a higher quality food - which is reflected in their taste."

Coun Vali Patel, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for schools, said: "The use of free range eggs is definitely a desirable option, although it does have cost implications.

"However, it is something that we are looking to working towards."

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council, which rusn schools in the borough, said that the use of free range eggs was down to individual schools as it did not act as a supplier. He said that the council was not aware of any schools currently ordering them.