By Richard Griffiths, chief executive, British Poultry Council The high poultry mortality associated with the exceptional temperatures of July 2022 was a serious event and a clear warning for the industry. It prompted a fundamental review of how extreme heat is anticipated and managed. A central part of the response has been significant investment in poultry-house cooling, particularly misting systems. Producers have also invested in additional fans, improved air inlets, environmental monitoring, high-temperature alarms, more resilient water supplies and back-up power. The extreme heat experienced in 2026 has provided an important test of these measures. It has helped the industry…