The biggest problem faced by the poultry industry is the “lack of space” and gaining “planning permission”, not whether consumers buy British produce, argued James Hook, NFU poultry board member.

“Being optimistic I think the public want British chicken. But the new welfare bills will mean stocking at lower densities, putting more pressure on space. Can we use that to help our [planning permission application] case?” Mr Hook proposed at the poultry breakout session.

Charles Bourns, NFU poultry board chairman, agreed that planning permission was an important issue. He responded: “It’s one thing to bring in imports because of price and another to bring in because of necessity.” Maria Ball, NFU chief poultry adviser, confirmed that the board will look into this issue.

Producers should not become complacent over the EU Zoonoses Directive, warned NFU poultry board member Peter Barton.

“The Zoonoses Directive is the greatest threat to the industry across the EU. For the egg industry it’s a case of Russian roulette,” commented Mr Barton.

And Charles Bourns, NFU poultry board chairman, agreed. “The Zoonoses Directive is more dangerous to the industry than IPPC,” he said.

Mr Barton insisted that it was important that the directive was implemented on a level playing field but also that “the EU states are playing the same game on the same level playing field”.

The discussion ended on a positive note with poultry board member, James Hook, stating: “Our consumption of chicken has gone up because salmonella levels have gone down. It’ll end up positive as the UK egg industry is ahead of the game.”

Source: fwi.co.uk