Scotland has ended the 12‑week limit on when free‑range poultry meat must be relabelled during disease‑control housing. The Free‑Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/338) took effect on 7 November, updating Annex V of Regulation 543/2008 so producers can keep using the free‑range claim for the full period of any temporary public or animal health restriction.

Why this matters: since 2021, avian influenza housing measures have repeatedly outlasted the previous 12‑week derogation, prompting label downgrades and confusion. Ministers told peers that in 2021–22 housing ran roughly 10 weeks past the limit, in 2022–23 by 11 weeks, and in 2024–25 by eight. The risk for wild birds remains very high in winter, and England has again imposed a national housing order from 6 November 2025.

Scotland’s move aligns with steps elsewhere. England has passed an equivalent change, Wales has laid its draft regulations, and ministers have said the EU is preparing a similar update-important for trade with Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Egg rules were already adjusted. In November 2024, Scotland removed the 16‑week limit for free‑range eggs during housing, bringing both eggs and meat under a consistent, disease‑responsive approach.

What changes on pack is narrow but important. The definition of free‑range-continuous daytime access to open‑air runs in normal times-still stands; the fixed 12‑week cut‑off for label use during veterinary restrictions no longer applies. Shoppers may still see free‑range on packs even if birds are temporarily kept indoors for health protection.

Trust is the point of success. The Food Standards Agency’s Food and You 2 survey reports 86% of people are confident label information is accurate, yet NFU Scotland’s polling highlights confusion about origin and production claims. Government’s consultation response says retailers will be encouraged to explain extended housing clearly to customers.

Straightforward fixes can help. Clear on‑pack notes such as “Temporarily housed to protect bird health” plus a QR code linking to farm or brand pages give context without overclaiming. The government explicitly backs proactive communication during longer housing periods, so shoppers aren’t left guessing.

Bird welfare still needs care while ranges are closed. Farm Advisory Service guidance and RSPCA standards point to practical enrichments-straw bales, pecking objects, dustbaths and perches-to keep birds active and reduce stress indoors. These are low‑cost steps consumers can ask brands to adopt and report on.

For producers and retailers, the near‑term task is transparency. Review free‑range claims against the new rule, prepare shelf‑edge statements for any housing order, and document on‑farm changes. When restrictions lift, standards bodies expect swift return to outdoor access alongside tight biosecurity, as signalled in recent guidance.

Who feels the change most? Not fast‑grown broilers, which are usually slaughtered before 12 weeks. The update chiefly protects the value of longer‑reared free‑range birds-turkeys, ducks and geese-when housing orders collide with peak seasons such as Christmas.