Egg producers obliged to stamp eggs

The egg producers will have to stamp the eggs from January 1. They must indicate the country of origin (MD), the settlement, the company’s code and production date on the eggs. There will be also marked the category. Number “1” means that the bird was raised on the ground, “2” that it was raised in a non-confined place, while “3” that it was bred in a cage, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Government approved the decision in 2010, but its implementation was postponed until the start of 2012 because not all the producers had the necessary technology. The producers that will not comply with the decision will be warned during the first weeks of the year, but then fined. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said the inspections will start in the second half of January. “If unstamped eggs are sold on the market, the Sanitary Veterinary Agency will take measures,” he stated. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, director of the egg producer “Avicola Moldova” Ion Bizgu said all the companies that produce eggs purchased the necessary equipment. “The norm is not discussed, but implemented,” he said. According to Ion Bizgu, the new measure will not affect the price of eggs. Tudor Sirbu, director of the egg plant based in Tirnova, Donduseni, said they bought egg marking equipment to the value of €250,000. Now he has to fire a number of employees. “Ten of the 20 people working at the plant will be laid off. Earlier, the people sorted the eggs manually, but now this will be done automatically,” he stressed, adding the company will yet incur additional costs for electricity, gas and other services. The eggs have a shelf life of 90 days and are kept at a temperature of 4 °C.