“As free‑range despite any such restrictions.” That’s the new wording signed off by Welsh Ministers this week, meaning poultrymeat produced to free‑range standards can keep its label even when birds are housed for disease control. The change applies across Wales from 21 November 2025.

In a Welsh Statutory Instrument titled the Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (WSI 2025/1122), government has removed the long‑standing 12‑week limit on how long flocks can be kept off the range during public or animal health measures without losing free‑range status. Annex 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008, as it applies in Wales, is amended so meat may continue to be marketed “as free‑range despite any such restrictions”.

Producers across rural Wales know why this matters. Housing orders linked to disease control have at times run well past 12 weeks, forcing some farms to relabel product and accept lower margins. Processors face the paperwork and pricing knock‑ons too, particularly where contracts assume a free‑range premium.

The instrument was made on 22 October 2025 and approved by Senedd Cymru under sections 50(6) and 50(7)(n) of the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023. It was signed by Huw Irranca‑Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. The Welsh Government confirms consultation took place in line with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.

For the avoidance of doubt, this is about poultrymeat, not eggs. Free‑range egg marketing standards sit under separate rules. Farms must still meet the full free‑range production requirements; the only shift is that any legally imposed housing or range restriction no longer triggers a 12‑week cut‑off for the meat label.

Commercially, the move should reduce mid‑season relabelling and price volatility. Buyers in retail and foodservice have been pushing for certainty during disease outbreaks; this delivers it without asking producers to choose between animal health and product integrity.

Trading Standards and industry bodies are expected to update practical guidance. In the meantime, the basics apply: keep clear records of any housing orders, evidence rearing to free‑range standards, and ensure specifications and labels are refreshed ahead of 21 November.

Cross‑border supply chains will pay close attention. Slaughter, packing and sales often span Wales, the North West and the Midlands, so procurement teams will want paperwork that sets out when restrictions applied and why. Industry voices have long argued for rules that protect bird health without undermining systems consumers pay extra for.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared under the Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice and is available from the Welsh Government in Cathays Park and online. For smaller family farms in Gwynedd, Powys and Ceredigion, the headline benefit is stability: fewer label changes when disease control drags on.

This is a devolved, pragmatic decision grounded in farm reality. Rural Wales asked for a rulebook that reflects long housing periods during outbreaks. From 21 November 2025, they’ll have it.