Poultry inspections

Date published: 30 March, 2022

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

Eggs being checked for faults at a packing centre

Poultry is an important part of Scotland’s rural economy and food chain, so it’s important that we make sure high standards and practices are being followed.

Our inspections programme helps to protect consumers interests, such as food safety and prices. It also helps reduce food fraud and maintain standards of welfare for laying hens.

Some of our checks are to comply with Scottish rules and some are for European rules.

We carry out inspections on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Food Standards Agency and also work in partnership with local authorities when certain issues arise, such as consumer complaints or labeling details.

Poultry inspections are generally unannounced and our inspectors will make sure eggs are Class A standard.

Class A is the standard retailers require for human consumption.

We can inspect any part of your business that is involved in the production chain. This includes hatcheries, rearing units, production sites, packing centres and wholesale and distribution centres.

During an inspection we may take egg samples to test for the residue of medicines, check egg quality, labelling and records, and conduct ultra violet and weight sampling tests.

Specifically, our inspector will check:

  • poultry welfare
  • egg marketing
  • free range meat marketing
  • for salmonella testing
  • hygiene standards

If you fail any part of your inspection, we will give you clear guidance as to why and a timeframe to make changes.

However, if you fail to make the necessary changes, it could result in further action, which could range from increased inspections, to financial penalties or official warnings.

In some cases, eggs may be restricted or stopped from being marketed.

If you do fail part or all of your inspection, we will refer to this as a breach and any further action will be assessed depending on how serious the breach is.

If you pass your inspection with no breaches we will classify you as a lower risk and, depending on the size of your business, we will reduce the frequency you are inspected.

You can sign up to receive alerts on exotic and notifiable animal diseases through the APHA alerts service.

APHA alerts

For support and questions, please get in touch with the Scottish Government's poultry unit.

Scottish Government
Poultry Unit
P Spur
ARE Animal Health and Welfare Division
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
EDINBURGH
EH11 3XD
Tel: 0300 244 9972
Fax: 0300 244 9194
Email: eggsandpoultrymailbox@gov.scot

GB poultry register

Animal health and welfare

Scottish Government Avian Influenza page

You can also download application forms to register different aspects of your business with us. Please make sure you have read the above guidance before completing any application.

EMR 2 - Application to register as a packing centre

EMR 3 - Application to register as an egg production facility

EMR10 - Application to register hatching, breeding or multiplying facility

EMR 4C - Application to register as an egg wholesaler

Egg Packing Centre Avian Influenza Pre-designation application

For guidance or an application form to register a poultry production facility, please contact 0300 244 9972.

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