Speaking at the British Poultry Council awards at the House of Commons in London, the BPC chairman, Ted Wright, expressed concern that the industry could suffer from a lack of young skilled people to carry it forward.

He said that the vital knowledge needed in the industry was falling into the hands of fewer and fewer people.

"It is quality people who drive out industry. They are the back bone of our industry," he said.

He called for more resources and support to be able to develop the skills of younger people in the industry to be able to push the industry forward.

Mr Wright welcomed the advances that were being made in the British poultry industry on welfare issues.

However, he called on the government not to "gold plate" the EU legislation and put the UK industry at a disadvantage compared to competing nations.

At the ceremony, scholarship awards were presented to Muhammad Jaspal and Chamari Palliyeguru. The Charles Longley Poulters Company Prize was awarded to Richard Bailey. The Poultry Industry Marketing Award went to James Hook and awards for distinguished service to the poultry industry went to Howard Birley, Derek Kelly and Bob Reader. A special award by the poultry industry was presented to Professor Sir Colin Spedding.