Shropshire broiler grower James Mottershead has been elected to chair the NFU poultry board for 2022-2024.
He is former chair of the NFU Poultry Industry Programme (PIP), and produces 1.3million broiler chickens every year.
The family business also farms 1,000 acres of arable land and produces renewable electricity from wind turbines and solar PV systems. The farm also has a biomass boiler system that produces renewable heat and electricity.
He will be supported by Phill Crawley who has been re-elected as vice chair of the board. On Crawley’s farm in Leicestershire, he and his brother keep free-range and colony laying hens, and pack and market the eggs on site.
“I’m delighted to have been elected as poultry board chair and I am committed to representing the board and all poultry producers to government, retailers and stakeholders across the supply chain,” said Mottershead.
“With the cost of production continuing to rise, it’s absolutely crucial that poultry producers receive a fair return from the supply chain and that will be one of my priorities moving forward, in addition to the ongoing challenges avian influenza presents to the poultry sector.”
“I would also like to thank Thomas Wornham for his work as chair for the past four years,” James continued. “Tom has navigated significant challenges, such as the UK leaving the EU, supply chain disruption due to Covid-19, labour shortages and avian influenza.
“I look forward to continuing working with him on the poultry board.”
Crawley said: “I’m very pleased to have been re-elected as poultry board vice-chair and continuing to support the poultry board and team at the NFU.
“One of the best parts of this role is to act as a sounding board for all poultry producers and I look forward to working closely with all of our members.
“British poultry production is among the best and most sustainable in the world and I am keen to continue sharing that story with the public.”