The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has raised “extreme concern” after the UK government announced a further two-year suspension of tariffs on poultry meat and egg imports from Ukraine, extending the measure to March 2028.
Poultry meat and eggs were previously excluded from the wider tariff liberalisation agreed in 2024 because of market sensitivity, with tariff-free access limited to two years until March 2026. Ahead of the deadline, the NFU submitted evidence calling for any extension to be time-limited, reviewed annually and capped by volume.
Responding to the government’s decision, NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw said UK farmers supported Ukrainian producers but warned the move could significantly impact British poultry businesses. He said the policy must strike a balance between supporting Ukraine and protecting sensitive UK sectors.
Imports of Ukrainian poultry products have risen sharply. In the first ten months of 2025, the UK imported 43,409 tonnes of poultry meat and 11,901 tonnes of eggs and egg products from Ukraine. The UK did not traditionally import eggs from Ukraine, and pre-war quotas allowed just 409 tonnes a year.
Raw said UK poultry farmers were already under pressure from rising production costs, avian influenza and proposed animal welfare reforms. He called on the government to closely monitor import levels and ensure Ukrainian imports meet UK welfare standards to maintain a level playing field for British producers.