The French egg industry is facing scrutiny as the National Centre for Egg Production (CNPO) raises alarms over the importation of eggs from Ukraine. These eggs, being sold in some large supermarkets across France, allegedly do not comply with EU poultry holding standards and the French prohibition on the culling of male chicks.
Health Concerns and Regulatory Actions
The CNPO has voiced serious concerns over the potential contamination of imported Ukrainian eggs with antibiotics prohibited in the EU. Recent inspections—at least four—conducted on eggs from Ukraine, distributed via Slovakia and Poland, revealed troubling traces of substances deemed hazardous to human health.
In light of these revelations, Agriculture Minister Anne Genevard has taken action by addressing a letter to the European Commission. She has called for enhanced sanitary controls both domestically and across the EU. Moreover, Minister Genevard has urged a halt to imports of eggs containing banned substances.
“While the volume of eggs imported from Ukraine is not substantial, the implications are significant,” Genevard remarked. “Prioritizing our national food sovereignty is crucial, as we must advocate for French eggs over imported alternatives that fail to meet our standards or the expectations of our consumers.”
Increasing Demand Drives Imports
This development comes as the demand for eggs in France continues to rise, largely driven by consumers seeking affordable protein amid soaring inflation rates. This burgeoning demand has compelled some French supermarkets to increase their imports of eggs, a situation that has not sat well with local producers.
According to CNPO President Yves-Marie Beaudet, egg sales have surged by 5% in volume thus far this year, translating to an additional 350 million eggs compared to the same period last year. “We have the capacity to adequately supply the large supermarket chains,” Beaudet stated, emphasizing the ability of French production to meet growing consumer demands.
