“These moves will be welcomed by the sector as they ensure that poultry producers are not left at a competitive disadvantage,” said NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead earlier this year. That sentiment now lands north of the Border: from Friday 7 November 2025, Scotland has brought in new rules allowing free‑range poultry meat to keep its label for the full length of any mandatory bird flu housing order, via SSI 2025/338 signed by Minister Jim Fairlie.

What’s actually changed is simple but significant. The law removes the old 12‑week ceiling and clarifies that birds can be “temporarily” kept off open‑air runs during disease controls without losing free‑range status. The rest of the free‑range standards still apply; this tweak is about time limits during public or animal health restrictions. The underlying EU‑derived rule being amended sits in Annex V of Regulation 543/2008.

For readers working with producers from the Borders up to Dumfries and Galloway-and retailers across Cumbria and Northumberland-the seasonal impact is most obvious for longer‑cycle birds. Westminster debates confirmed broiler chickens are usually slaughtered before 12 weeks, so the change mainly benefits free‑range turkeys, ducks and geese that would otherwise face relabelling mid‑season.

The shift follows hard lessons from avian influenza outbreaks in 2022 and 2023, when housing measures in parts of Great Britain ran longer than the 12‑week grace period and forced “free‑range” products to be rebadged indoors. Defra’s own summary says extended housing created avoidable cost and confusion in the chain.

England has already moved in the same direction. Ministers took the English regulations through Parliament in September, and the statute book now reflects the removal of the 12‑week limit there too. Peers also noted the EU is moving similarly, which helps keep a level playing field with Northern Ireland and continental suppliers.

Government papers show the joint Defra–Scottish Government consultation drew just 14 responses, but the outcome was clear: proceed with removing the cap to give producers certainty during any future housing orders. Officials also flagged consumer information-encouraging retailers to display notices when housing measures are in force.

To be clear, this isn’t a watering‑down of welfare rules. Free‑range definitions still require daytime access to runs and minimum ages at slaughter; “total freedom” birds must have unlimited area when ranging. The amendment only covers the period when official veterinary restrictions temporarily keep flocks indoors.

For northern butchers and farm shops supplied by Scottish producers, this should steady labels and pricing through Christmas. It reduces the risk of mid‑December relabelling on turkeys trucked down the M74 and A1-good news for customers who expect consistency at the counter as well as on the farm.

There are still watch‑points. The consultation record notes some worries about consumer understanding if housing orders last months rather than weeks; governments say they will publicise any housing measures and encourage point‑of‑sale notices. Wales has consulted on similar changes and further announcements are expected.

In short, Scotland’s rule change brings clarity for producers and packers, helps northern retailers plan stock and messaging, and keeps Scottish free‑range poultry meat competitive across the UK market during disease controls-without shifting the welfare bar that matters to buyers and communities here in the North.