Poultry News
  • Production
    • Broiler Production
    • Ducks
    • Egg Production
    • Game
    • Hatching
    • Housing
    • Turkeys
  • Processing
  • Business & Politics
    • Business
    • Economics
    • EU & Politics
    • Marketing
    • People
    • Training & Education
  • Welfare
    • Environment
    • Food Safety
    • Vet & Medication
    • Welfare
  • Feed
  • Genetics
  • New Products
  • Magazines
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Feed and Nutrition supplement
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • 2024 Building for the Future supplement
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Poultry Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • 2024 National Egg and Poultry Awards finalists supplement
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • Pig & Poultry Fair 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • Processing Equipment Supplement – Nov 2023
    • October 2023
    • Building Supplement – Sept 2023
    • September 2023
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Events
    • National Egg and Poultry Awards
    • Poultry Fair
    • Webinars
Twitter LinkedIn
  • FREE Email Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
Twitter LinkedIn
Podcast
Poultry News
  • Production
    • Broiler Production
    • Ducks
    • Egg Production
    • Game
    • Hatching
    • Housing
    • Turkeys
  • Processing
  • Business & Politics
    • Business
    • Economics
    • EU & Politics
    • Marketing
    • People
    • Training & Education
  • Welfare
    • Environment
    • Food Safety
    • Vet & Medication
    • Welfare
  • Feed
  • Genetics
  • New Products
  • Magazines
    1. June 2025
    2. 2025 Innovation supplement
    3. May 2025
    4. April 2025
    5. March 2025
    6. 2025 Feed and Nutrition supplement
    7. February 2025
    8. January 2025
    9. December 2024
    10. November 2024
    11. October 2024
    12. September 2024
    13. 2024 Building for the Future supplement
    14. August 2024
    15. 2024 Poultry Health supplement
    16. July 2024
    17. 2024 National Egg and Poultry Awards finalists supplement
    18. June 2024
    19. 2024 Innovation supplement
    20. Pig & Poultry Fair 2024
    21. May 2024
    22. April 2024
    23. March 2024
    24. February 2024
    25. January 2024
    26. December 2023
    27. November 2023
    28. Processing Equipment Supplement – Nov 2023
    29. October 2023
    30. Building Supplement – Sept 2023
    31. September 2023
    Featured

    Poultry Business – June 2025 issue

    By Chloe RyanJune 9, 2025
    Recent

    Poultry Business – June 2025 issue

    June 9, 2025

    Poultry Business – 2025 Innovation supplement

    June 9, 2025

    Poultry Business – May 2025 issue

    May 15, 2025
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Events
    • National Egg and Poultry Awards
    • Poultry Fair
    • Webinars
Twitter LinkedIn
Poultry News
News

Comment: Defra’s livestock transport proposals are not based on science or evidence

Chloe RyanBy Chloe RyanFebruary 12, 20213 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

By Aimee Mahony, NFU chief poultry advisor

We all face challenges throughout our lifetime, some more turbulent than others but one thing I personally try and focus on is turning these challenges into opportunities. It may be something big or even something that seems quite small but by using these situations to your advantage and influencing the end result, it can help turn the negatives into something more positive.

I believe the poultry sector offers a flexible and accommodating approach in dealing with the obstacles the industry has to face and it seems that we’ve faced our fair share in recent times with issues caused by EU exit, avian influenza and COVID-19 to name but three. From farm to fork, our sector is market-driven and we must adapt our way of working to meet these evolving market requirements.

Part of this is our ability to turn adversity into opportunity and move forward. Whether that is in relation to animal welfare, antibiotics, or avian influenza, the poultry supply chain has a tendency to be forward thinking and we are collectively stronger for it.

One good example of this is Defra’s ongoing consultation looking at the improvements to animal welfare during transport. The government’s proposals have caused great concern for the industry with an approach focussed on journey length rather than quality, along with other proposals which are sadly not based on science or evidence.

We have now held numerous meetings with Defra officials, with members in attendance pushing back on the proposals but also taking the time to explain important elements of poultry transport that already exist. We’ve also highlighted the opportunity to place more focus on training and sector-specific guidance to drive improvements in animal welfare during transport. Hopefully we’ll see some of these points reflected in Defra’s response to the consultation once it closes on the 25 February.

I’d like to end this month’s column on a more positive note regarding COVID-19 testing for workers in the food sector. Numerous instances of positive COVID-19 outbreaks in the wider food supply chain accelerated the NFU’s calls for mass testing to be available for farmers and workers in agriculture.

I’m pleased to say that Defra recently confirmed that for businesses with over 50 employees, registration for government-funded lateral flow tests is now available, allowing asymptomatic testing centres to be established for workers.

 

This ability to receive rapid test results is so important and I would encourage every eligible business to register. If you have fewer than 50 employees, you can also register your interest if you feel a similar arrangement would benefit workers within your business.

 

 

Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
Previous ArticlePoultry Business – February 2021
Next Article Government to provide £2m COVID-19 financial support for hatching egg sector in Northern Ireland
Chloe Ryan

Editor of Poultry Business, Chloe has spent the past decade writing about the food industry from farming, through manufacturing, retail and foodservice. When not working, dog walking and reading biographies are her favourite hobbies.

Read Similar Stories

Feed & Nutrition

Siemens partners with Entocycle to digitalise insect farming industry

June 16, 20252 Mins Read
News

RSPCA Assured to host free webinar on new laying hen welfare standards

June 16, 20252 Mins Read
News

Mixed picture for poultry in Defra’s latest farming income report

June 9, 20251 Min Read
Latest News

Siemens partners with Entocycle to digitalise insect farming industry

June 16, 2025

RSPCA Assured to host free webinar on new laying hen welfare standards

June 16, 2025

Poultry sector urged to invest in training in automation and AI

June 16, 2025
Sponsored Content

Navigating Sustainability in Egg Production: Practical Steps for Producers

June 1, 2025

Maintain stable and continuous coccidiosis control amidst stocking density reductions

November 1, 2024
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

  • Farmers Weekly
  • AA Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • Pig World

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.