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

Made: 22 October 2025

Coming into force: 21 November 2025

In accordance with section 50(6) and (7)(n) of the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, a draft of this instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, Senedd Cymru.

Title, application and coming into force

1

• (1) The title of these Regulations is the Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2025.

• (2) These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

• (3) These Regulations come into force on 21 November 2025.

Amendment to Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008

2

• (1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards the marketing standards for poultrymeat[^f00003] is amended as follows.

• (2) In Annex 5, in the second sub-paragraph, for “with a special reference to the method of rearing for the duration of the restriction but under no circumstances for more than 12 weeks” substitute “as free-range despite any such restrictions”.

Signed

Huw Irranca-Davies — Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, one of the Welsh Ministers — 22 October 2025

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations amend, in relation to Wales, Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards the marketing standards for poultrymeat (EUR 2008/543).

Regulation 2 amends Annex 5 to Commission Regulation (EC) 543/2008 to remove the current maximum time period that poultry reared in accordance with free range production methods can have its access to open-air runs restricted (by measures put in place to protect public and animal health) whilst its meat may continue to be marketed, in Wales, as free-range.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and is published on www.gov.wales.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 2023 asc 4.

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

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