Dutch supermarkets are making extra profits at the expense of consumers and poultry farmers because of the bird flu problems, says poultry famers trade union NVP.

Government bird flu prevention measures mean poultry farmers have had to keep their birds indoors for so long that the eggs can no longer be labeled ‘free range’.

And now supermarkets are paying some 35% less for the eggs but are selling them for the normal price, the NVP found.

‘Fair trade is not something egg traders and supermarkets have much truck with,’ the NVP writes in a press release.

According to European rules, eggs can still be sold as free range if the chickens are kept indoors for no longer than 12 weeks because of bad weather or threat of disease.

The chickens have been cooped up since November 9 which means the status of the eggs has changed to ‘cage free’ or ‘barn produced’.  This means they have been laid by chickens who always remain inside.

Consumers are being told via stickers that this is the case but are paying the same price, the NVP says.

The union is contemplating legal steps and hopes consumers will question the integrity of supermarkets and so force supermarkets to treat poultry farmers more fairly.