There is currently an over supply of free range eggs and birds.

The Defra minsiter for the environment, Jim Paice, attended a recent NFU Poultry Board meeting in London where he was told that the poultry industry could deliver on the challenge of low carbon and producing food for the future.

Mr Bourns was keen to point out that over the past three years the average poultry producer had invested £34k each into improving their businesses.

On the welfare of laying hens directive, Mr Bourns had met Mr Gavinelli and had also talked to the Polish contigency as they would be taking over the EU Presidency and be in power when the directive comes into force.

Poultry meat has seen an increase of 2 per cent on sales and 6.2 per cent of value.