Stonegate has attained an Avian Influenza (AI) insurance policy scheme in conjunction with NFU Mutual. It is the first time this kind of funded protection has been offered, as part of a complimentary partnership package, to this extent by any egg packer in the UK, and the first AI business insurance cover that NFU Mutual has placed since October 2021.
The AI Group Insurance initiative is exclusive to Stonegate producers and is designed to protect their free range and organic egg farmers by offering six months business interruption should their poultry be infected with AI.
Stonegate said it would fund the cost of this cover for their farmers. Stonegate said it wanted to give its producers confidence to invest in their businesses and the industry.
Stonegate owns several brands including Clarence Court, Stonegate Estate, Enriched and Respectful eggs, as well supplying some retailers’ own label free range and organic eggs.
“This scheme is all about reducing farmers risk, creating a stronger, more robust, sustainable supply chain to ensure our customers have reliable continuity of supply,” said Adrian Gott, chief executive of Stonegate.
“We have been working on this scheme with NFU Mutual and their AI provider Markel for over six months and it will allow all our producers to take out this policy with their local NFU Mutual agency. It’s another significant step forward in our move to ever closer collaboration with our farming partners and I’m proud to be offering this unique scheme to them.”
Simon Bates, Senior Partner and Poultry Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “In the increasingly challenging circumstances that the sector has faced with Avian Influenza, we are particularly pleased to offer this opportunity to Stonegate. As the UK’s leading rural insurer, we remain committed to supporting our customers and providing them with the best outcomes available.”
Stonegate said it would fund a core element of the AI cover, but individual producers have the option to add additional covers at their own expense, which can take the form of secondary cleaning and disinfection cover for AI. Individual producers will need to engage with their NFU Mutual agent and provide the required information so that cover can be placed.