BFREPA urges swift action on bird flu insurance cover
Lion Code sites must apply before NFU Mutual’s 1 Sept cutoff
13 August 2025
1 minute read
By: The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) is urging eligible members to contact their local NFU Mutual agent as soon as possible to obtain Avian Influenza (AI) insurance cover, with the new business window set to close on 1 September 2025, subject to outbreak developments.
According to BFREPA, Lion Code of Practice-registered sites can apply for coverage, though some members will be ineligible under current acceptance criteria. The association said it has asked NFU Mutual to review its criteria for next year to ensure more producers can access protection.
Premiums have risen since last year, reflecting higher margins and values at risk, but the rate charged remains unchanged. BFREPA Head of Strategy and Producer Engagement Gary Ford warned that 14 confirmed AI cases over the summer signal a potentially challenging 2025/26 season.
“Against this context we urge our members, who are interested, to make contact with their local NFU Mutual Agent in order to obtain terms,” Ford said. “It is regrettable that not all of our members will be eligible for a quote and we have raised our concerns regarding this with the NFU Mutual.”
NFU Mutual Animal Disease Portfolio Manager Adam Williams said reopening general new business last April for the first time in three years was key to maintaining the sustainability of its AI insurance offering. He encouraged farmers to act swiftly before the September deadline to secure coverage during the high-risk migration season.
BFREPA continues to support members through outbreak monitoring via its WhatsApp channel, used by more than 600 egg producers, and an online hub offering guidance and updates on AI developments.
