Demand for eggs and poultry meat is strong and growing, but there are also considerable hurdles to overcome. That was the message from the two day Pig & Poultry Fair earlier this month, where 8,470 visitors to the Fair heard from expert speakers and toured the more than 300 exhibitors at the NEC in Birmingham.
Consumer demand for high-quality animal protein is rising – particularly where it is affordable and convenient – which plays to the sector’s advantage. But tightening animal welfare legislation in the UK, alongside restrictive planning policies, is throttling growth and opening the door to imports that wouldn’t meet domestic standards.
Egg consumption has risen by 20% since 2019, but still remains behind many other countries on a per-capita basis, said Barney Kay, agricultural director at Noble Foods. Organic and golden yolk brands are doing well, as are processed products like boiled eggs, frittatas, omelettes and liquid eggs.
Planning policies
However, proposals to phase out colony systems and restrictive planning policies mean producers will not be able to keep up with demand. “We’re seeing a huge influx of Ukrainian eggs,” said Nick Allen, chief executive at the British Egg Industry Council. “If you’re going to ban systems of production in this country, you have to ban imports produced to those same standards.”
One of the problems at government level is a lack of agricultural knowledge, and an attempt to eliminate risk rather than control it, said Allen. “The regulatory environment is in flux all the time – there’s no stability.” Employment, tax, health and environmental departments don’t talk to each other, so one policy ends up undermining another. “We need a joined-up approach.”
Avian influenza is another significant threat – and Noble Foods has been working with Livetec Systems to help its farmers adopt more effective protection, said Kay. “It’s about ensuring we’re focusing on the right areas.” It’s also important that staff buy in to best practice biosecurity, warned Allen. “Everyone knows what to do, but it’s a people point. A cultural shift needs to happen.”
Vaccine trial
There is hope that the vaccine trial in turkeys will prove successful, enabling a roll-out across the poultry sector, said Mark Gorton, managing director at Traditional Norfolk Poultry. “But it’s worldwide problem not a UK problem, and it won’t be an overnight success.”
It’s also important that trade barriers are removed, to enable more widespread use of the vaccine, warned David Neilson, agriculture director at Avara Foods. “I wouldn’t be prepared to grow my Christmas turkey business without the vaccine – it’s not worth the risk.”
Many producers are keen to invest – but they need the confidence and cash flow do so, said Sam Drummond, director of poultry at Worcestershire-based EC Drummond. “It’s very hard to expand – planning permission is our biggest challenge.”
Another area of both challenge and opportunity is the food service and public procurement sector, said Gorton. “We’ve got products like wings and drumsticks that we struggle to sell – the procedures and protocols are so restrictive.” But rather than serving Chinese chicken breasts in schools, they should instead be signposted to high-quality, local value cuts.
Concern
In the pig sector, last year’s buoyant mood has turned to one of concern amid falling prices, oversupply and factory failures, with some producers served notice on their contracts. However, in the longer term, pig meat remains well-placed to meet consumer needs.
Fabio Brancher, operations director at Pilgrim’s Europe, outlined how the processor is working to reduce the slaughter backlog, opening nine additional factories in March to ease pressure on the congested supply chain. The business slaughtered a record 48,000 pigs last week, compared with its usual target of 43,000 a week.
Tessa Seymour, commercial director at ABN, said: “The Pig and Poultry Fair is the perfect opportunity to meet and discuss these issues, and there was a real buzz. Bringing the supply chain together is so important, to help foster understanding and encourage collaborative approaches to overcome hurdles and make the most of the opportunities available.
Both avian influenza (AI) and African Swine Fever (ASF) present serious threats to the industry, and speakers explored practical tips to help keep them at bay.
Avian influenza
It’s a similar situation with avian influenza (AI), and Stuart Bird, who produces eggs at Bird Bros, Bedfordshire, has moved from relatively casual planning to full defence preparation. “If you think it’s a case of when, not if, you’re better prepared.”
He has introduced digital tools to improve traceability, with a digital sign-in replacing paper visitor books. “It provides more visibility, knowing who’s on your site and what they’re doing.” The business has also introduced greater separation between its production site and packing centre. “If we were unlucky enough to have an AI outbreak, we can keep our packing centre running,” he said.
Producers should not feel overwhelmed by biosecurity improvements. “Just start with the easy things. You’ll never be perfect, but that’s no excuse for not trying.”
Improved data
Better data is also helping egg producers to identify welfare and management issues earlier while improving flock performance. Twan Van Gerwe at Vencomatic explained how advanced monitoring systems can track egg laying patterns, egg quality and bird behaviour, helping farmers make faster and more informed decisions. “Early detection of changes in behaviour can provide a warning sign.”
Another improvement that egg producers can soon take advance of is the proposed change to contract legislation, which will protect them from unfair supply chain practices. “The final regulations are being drafted by lawyers, so we hope they will be published soon,” said Defra’s Lewis Acred. Steps include requiring written contracts with dispute resolution procedures, preventing unilateral changes and ensuring pricing transparency.
“It’s far more valuable if I can hear about issues early on, before it becomes a formal complaint,” said the supply chain adjudicator Richard Thompson. “There is a lot we can do to help.”
Environmental advice
The British Free-Range Egg Producers Association also unveiled its imminent guide to environmental legislation. The aim is to provide a one-stop shop for producers with advice on best practice within the regulations.
“Anything that is lost to the environment is lost to your business,” said Sharon Chisholm at the Environment Agency. Areas covered including housing, the range, drainage, manure, and disease outbreak procedures. “Keeping ammonia within the system is keeping nitrogen within the business, which will help your business efficiency.”
The RASE’s new Farm of the Future report considers how to optimise efficiencies on pig and poultry farms, including buildings, slurry management and energy use. “Knowing where your energy is used is key to reducing energy consumption,” said Zanita Markham at AHDB.
Before spending on a new building, producers should understand how older buildings are performing and where they could be improved, added Roger Stones at NFU Energy. “Most sheds don’t have an energy problem, they have an energy wastage problem.” Areas to consider include insulation, heat recovery, energy efficiency, temperature and ventilation controls, renewable energy generation, and ensuring the energy contract is fit for purpose.
Fair organiser Alice Bell said it had been a good opportunity to share knowledge. “Together, we are most definitely stronger, and that could not have been felt more keenly over the past couple of days.”