
1 
This Order may be cited as the Poultry Laying Flocks (Collection and Handling of Eggs and Control of Vermin) Order 1989 and shall come into force on 26th May 1989.
2 
In this Order–
 “laying flock” means a flock of poultry any of the eggs of which are sold for human consumption;
 “poultry” means domestic fowls;
 “vermin” means rats, mice, flies or cockroaches.
3 
It shall be the duty of the owner of a laying flock to ensure that the requirements specified in the Schedule to this Order relating to the collection and handling of eggs from laying flocks are complied with on the premises on which the flock is kept.
4 
It shall be the duty of the owner of a laying flock to ensure that, on the premises on which the flock is kept, effective measures are taken so as to ensure that,–
(a) poultryhouses and buildings or parts of buildings used to store eggs are not infested by vermin; and
(b) poultryhouses in which poultry are housed permanently throughout their laying period are not accessible to any other birds at any time.
5 
Any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him, contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Order commits an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981.
6 
The provisions of this Order shall be executed and enforced by the local authority.
In Witness whereof the Official Seal of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is hereunto affixed on  25th May 1989.
John MacGregor
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Sanderson of Bowden
Minister of State, Scottish Office
23rd May 1989Peter Walker
Secretary of State for Wales
23rd May 1989
SCHEDULE
Article 3
1 
All persons collecting or otherwise handling eggs must wash their hands immediately before and after doing so.
2 
Eggs must be collected from the flock at least once each day.
3 
Where eggs are collected by an automatic system, any broken, leaking or dented eggs must be removed from the system as soon as practicable. Where eggs are collected by hand, any broken, leaking or dented eggs should be separated from other eggs and subsequently stored and disposed of separately from other eggs.
4 
No eggs must be placed in dirty or soiled trays.
5 
All eggs must be stored in buildings or parts of buildings under such conditions as are necessary to prevent surface condensation and no poultry must be permitted access to such buildings or parts of buildings.
6 
All–
(a) equipment used for the collection and handling of eggs, and
(b) storage and packing units  must be kept in a clean condition.