BEIC launches manifesto for a stronger British egg industry

Gary Ford, British Egg Industry Council chief executive, said: “The British egg industry is one of British farming’s great success stories.” Photo: Canva

The British Egg Industry Council has launched a manifesto ahead of the UK general election, calling on a future government to help deliver the support the British egg industry needs for a sustainable future.

Among the key asks are for the next government to ban the import of eggs and eggs products from systems of production that are prohibited in the UK, and to recognise in future trade deals the higher costs of production due to legislation on food safety, animal welfare and the environment. The British Egg Industry Council would like to see greater appropriate protection against lower standard imports.

Among the other British Egg Industry Council key asks are:

Environment
Stronger collaboration between government and industry to develop evidence-based solutions and the continued inclusion of the British egg industry in future grant funding, such as manure stores.

Workforce
Place key workers for the laying hen sector on the Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list and remove the government cap on worker numbers.

Biosecurity
Ensure there are sufficient resources available through the Animal Plant and Health Agency to help deal with future notifiable avian disease outbreaks and to bring compensation in line with other livestock species.

Planning
Meet the needs of the UK production base whilst protecting the environment through reform of the planning system to enable the sector to grow and meet consumer demand.

Public procurement
Promote British ingredients within food products, and across the public sector, through procurement in local schools, hospitals, and various other public institutions.

The British Lion Code of Practice is the UK’s most successful food safety scheme, representing a significant success story for British farming and accounting for around 95% of British egg production. The BEIC operates independently from government support/subsidies.

Gary Ford, British Egg Industry Council chief executive, said: “The British egg industry is one of British farming’s great success stories, providing consumers with a natural, healthy, ‘super food’ at an affordable price, which is always of vital importance, but particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.

“Following a number of challenging years for the industry, managing increased supply chain costs and the impact of avian influenza, as well as the rising threat of imports, it is absolutely essential that the next UK government puts the conditions in place to ensure the industry is able to operate sustainably for years to come.”

The full manifesto can be viewed here.