By Nick Allen, chief executive, British Egg Industry Council
Retail egg sales have risen once again, with the latest Kantar data showing a 4.5% year-on-year increase in take-home volumes – a welcome boost for the UK egg sector. This growth is a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, and resilience of producers and packers, who have continued to deliver British Lion eggs onto the shelves of retailers and the plates of consumers all over the country despite the many pressures we all continue to face. The Lion Code of Practice is a key part of this success, underpinning our reputation for high standards of traceability and food safety, giving shoppers confidence in what they’re buying – making it possible for the industry to continue to grow.
The British Lion is recognisable across all demographic groups, over 81% of consumers recognised the logo in our April 2025 survey, higher than any other UK assurance scheme. For more than 25 years, our trade and consumer campaigns have positioned eggs as a nutritious, versatile, and affordable source of protein. The message is clear, growth like this, outpacing wider grocery trends, confirms what we all know: our great product, backed by a strong and resilient supply-chain and effective marketing, is keeping eggs firmly – and increasingly – in shoppers’ baskets.
Continuing to look at the potential for growth but through the prism of the policy and legislative landscape, we are looking forward to the release of the Review into Farming Profitability, led by former NFU President Baroness Batters. We are confident that review will shine a spotlight on the need for fair returns and resilience across not only the egg sector, but all sectors of livestock, arable farming and agriculture. British farming faces many challenges, and one which has impacted all and particularly the egg sector is those posed by the planning system that has long constrained growth. Producers continue to face major hurdles when seeking planning permission for new or expanded poultry units, with local authorities often applying inconsistent or irrational decisions, despite satisfying environmental concerns.
The current planning system has become a significant barrier to investment, preventing producers from modernising facilities, improving bird welfare, and meeting rising consumer demand. A more balanced and informed planning framework is essential if the industry is to deliver sustainable growth and boost the rural economy.
An ever-present challenge we face as an industry is that of Avian Influenza (AI). The recent rise in cases in the last two weeks of October, both in wild and kept birds, is a worrying trend. We were pleased that DEFRA acted swiftly to introduce a regional housing order in addition to the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), in England, from 30 October 2025. In response, all independent Lion Code of Practice audits, within the regional housing area, will be undertaken using a hybrid audit visit. These visits involve an auditor visiting the farm offices in person and live bird areas by the site senior management secure livestreaming on a mobile phone or other device. Auditors, who are typically undertaking daily visits, will not therefore come into contact with birds within the area of the regional housing order. This reflects our commitment to take a pragmatic but risk-based approach towards site inspections. Nevertheless, there is no substitute for a physical audit inspection, and we will revert to this approach as soon as practically possible.
We strongly urge all sites to review and reinforce their biosecurity arrangements, as robust biosecurity remains the most effective defence against Avian Influenza on farm.