By Mark Williams, chairman, British Egg Industry Council
At the time of writing, Influenza of avian origin has been detected in a single sheep following testing. This occurred at a non-commercial premises where Avian Influenza had been confirmed in captive birds. The infected sheep was humanely culled to enable further testing. While it is extremely unlikely that this would happen in a commercial operation, everyone should be aware of the need for strict biosecurity measures to be in place at all times.
While Avian Influenza remains a challenge, cases have slowed a little and should continue to do so as migratory birds move away from the UK to their summer breeding grounds, plus temperatures are increasing. That said, we are now at 50 cases across the UK, much higher than the six cases last AI season. Why should this be? Reasoning could include less immunity among wild birds following lower environmental viral load last AI season, and a number of storms which found weak spots in poultry building structures (leaking roof and water from flooding finding its way through cracks in the mortar of dwarf walls). Whatever the reason, exemplary biosecurity remains vital to minimise risk.
With the arrival of Spring, the industry has much to be optimistic about. The egg sales growth that we saw last year has continued into 2025, supported by increasing UK egg production.
The UK Government has dropped another bombshell on the farming industry with Defra’s announcement that it has closed the window on applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive. This came without warning or consultation. As if challenges were not already great enough, particularly in relation to the Government’s policies on Inheritance Tax, Agricultural Property Relief, and Agricultural Business Relief, this will be yet another devasting blow for many farmers who will be feeling completely abandoned. It is not hard to see that confidence levels have hit their lowest levels ever. This was clearly a decision taken by HM Treasury to reduce a budget deficit and a situation that developed with a lack of checks and balances in Defra that would have prevented the SFI budget from being exhausted.
Shortly following the announcement, at an emergency roundtable meeting of all the major farming representative organisations, the Farming Minister, Daniel Zeichner MP, said there will be a ‘SFI reset’, and that we should expect further details on this come the Government’s Summer Spending Review. While this is welcome, it does nothing for those farming businesses that rely on SFI or have incorporated it into their current business plans, adding even greater uncertainty for those who produce our food at a time rising global instability and emerging food security threats. The Government has claimed the new scheme will be fairer and more fit for purpose.
The immediate priority for the BEIC and other farming organisations is to work with the Government to try to ensure help for the thousands of applicants stuck in the system, and we will be lobbying hard for resolutions. While the situation we find ourselves in currently is regrettable, it is vital that the Government works closely with farmers and industry to develop the replacement SFI scheme that ensures food security and supply chain resilience.
On the Government’s egg supply chain fairness review, we continue to engage with Defra to ensure that the needs of the industry are properly addressed. We have also asked that the retail sector is included in the draft legislation, along with the need for any regulation to be balanced so that it works for both producers and packers.
I am personally delighted that we have appointed a new Chief Executive to lead the BEIC and the Lion Code into the next phase of its development. Nick Allen, whose last role was as UK General Manager at Driscoll’s inc and was previously CEO of Berry Gardens Ltd, will start his role as BEIC Chief Executive on 7 April, when I will revert to Chairman. Nick’s background in business and agriculture will make him an excellent addition to the team. I’m sure you will all provide a warm welcome. Nick will be looking to build on a fantastic foundation, bringing energy, passion and expertise to the role, all with the aim of futureproofing the Lion for the industry and its customers.
In terms of our discussions with RSPCA Assured on the implementation of their amended standards, in particular the requirement for 3% natural daylight, we have spent a considerable amount of time meeting with, and in discussion with, their hierarchy. We are now close to a resolution and remain confident that our asks have been taken into account and that we can put what happened in November 2023 behind us and move forward positively.