# Commission Regulation (EC) No 617/2008 of 27 June 2008 laying down detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs for hatching and farmyard poultry chicks, Article 3: Marking of eggs for hatching and their packaging

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

1. Eggs for hatching, used for chick production, shall be marked individually.
2. The individual marking of eggs for hatching, used for chick production, shall be carried out at the producer establishment, which shall print its distinguishing number on the eggs. The letters and figures shall be indicated in indelible black ink at least 2 mm high and 1 mm wide.
3. In accordance with the legislation applying in the constituent nation, eggs for hatching may be marked in a different manner from that presented in paragraph 2, provided that it is in black ink, indelible, clearly visible and at least 10mm2 in area. Such marking shall be carried out prior to insertion into the incubator, either at a producer establishment, or at a hatchery. ...
4. Eggs for hatching shall be transported in perfectly clean packs, containing only eggs for hatching of the same species, category and type of poultry, originating in one establishment, and bearing the marking ‘eggs for hatching’.
5. In order to comply with the provision in force in certain importer third countries, eggs for hatching intended for export and their packaging may bear particulars other than those provided for in this Regulation, provided that they are not likely to be confused with the latter and with those provided for in Articles 75(3), 78(1) and 89 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and its implementing Regulations. , those provided for in Articles 78(1) and 89 of Regulation (EU) 1308/2013, its implementing regulations and regulations made under section 9 of the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Act 2020.
6. Packs or containers of any type in which these eggs are transported shall bear the distinguishing number of the producer establishment.
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8. Eggs for hatching from third countries may be imported only if they bear, in type at least 3 mm high, the name of the country of origin and the printed word ‘hatching’, either in English or in the language of the country of origin. Their packaging must contain only eggs for hatching of the same species, category and type of poultry from the same country of origin and sender, and must bear at least the following particulars:
(a) the information shown on the eggs;
(b) the species of poultry from which the eggs come;
(c) the sender's name or business name and address.
10. In paragraph 3, ‘constituent nation’ means England, Wales or Scotland, as the case may be.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2008/617/article/3 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2008-617/article-3
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.