1. ISSN 2398 8339| | OCTOBER 2023 | | United Kingdom Annual Subscription FREE | | European Annual Subscription £75 | | Rest of the world Annual Subscription £90 THE MAGAZINE FOR THE UK’S POULTRY & EGG PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS | | EU shelves plans to end use of cages | | NI poultry farmer in RHI court win | | How to keep rodents under control this autumn | | Lidl offers egg producers new contracts | | New EU border rules & what they mean for poultry | | New stats show ag remains deadly industry Adding Hemicell™ XT to feed means – using less feed for: >more growth1 >more profit1 >more sustainability1 >optimum health2 ™ XT HEMICELL prevents IMPACT ON profit Learn how here: For every one million birds, you could SAVE the equivalent of £14,294 in unnecessary feed costs.3 -MANNANS DON’T FEED THE PROBLEM 1. Elanco Data on file: Hemicell performance meta-analysis 2020 2. Elanco Data on file: Hemicell I2 Detailer 3. Elanco Data on file: Hemicell HT Cost saving Calculator 2022 Elanco UK AH Limited, First Floor, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook RG27 9XA. Telephone: 01256 353131 Email: elancouk@elanco.com Hemicell, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. © 2022 Elanco or its affiliates. Date of preparation: 08/2023 PM-UK-21-0566

3. HEAD OFFICE: Lewis Business Media, Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, River Way, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1SL, UK Tel 01825 983105 Fax 01825 983108 Web www.lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk EDITOR’S VIEW: THE RIPPLE OF RHI SCANDAL WILL BE FELT FOR YEARS TO COME EDITOR Chloe Ryan chloe@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk PRODUCTION EDITOR Allan Norbury 01825 725296 allan@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk SALES DIRECTOR Martin Goult M.Inst.M 01825 983124 martin@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Rebecca Buckland 01825 725292 rebecca@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS Kay O’Brien 01825 983105 kay@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk PRODUCTION Rubel Ahmed 0207 216 6449 kevin.porter@ccmediagroup.co.uk SUB EDITOR Sally Rush sally@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk ART EDITOR Sarah Crowhurst sarah@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk DESIGNERS Chrishna Othendee Rachel Wood Andrew Richards PUBLISHER ANDGROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR Simon Lewis 01825 983119 simon@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk Price per annual subscription: | | UK: FREE to UK-based poultry farmers or suppliers | | European: £75 | | Rest of the world: £90 he scale of incompetence in the management of the RHI scheme in Northern Ireland is so absurd it would probably be dismissed as unrealistic if it was the plot in a film or book. The details have been raked over for the past decade so I won’t rehash every last failure here, but, to summarise, the political fallout caused the Stormont Assembly to collapse threatening peace in Northern Ireland; poultry farmers who signed up in good faith had their subsidies cut; they then went through an auditing process and had money demanded back; the whole thing ended up in court (racking up more bills for taxpayers). The latest chapter in this sorry story is the conclusion of a judicial review into the decision by Ofgem to try to recoup money paid to poultry farmers with boilers who claimed subsidies through the RHI scheme. Just as the case was about to reach court, the lawyer representing the Department for Economy (DfE) conceded that Ofgem did not have the legal powers to do such a thing, meaning the poultry farmer at the centre of the test case, Thomas Paul, will now not have to repay the £53,000 Ofgem had demanded. Brian Moss, the solicitor representing dozens of poultry farmers in this case and many others told me the whole thing was a “horror show” of public mismanagement that is likely to go on for years yet. You can read all about it on pages 12-13. Also, this past month was the poultry meat conference in Grantham. One of the recurring themes was the importance of stepping up biosecurity as the autumn weather draws in. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to review all your measures. T Chloe Ryan Editor chloe@lewisbusinessmedia.co.uk 28 Printed by Stephens & George Print Group, Goat Mill Road, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD Our certified average monthly circulation is 3,192 (July 2021 to June 2022). 16 24 Contents OCTOBER 2023 17 NEWS ANALYSIS Dismay at a further delay to the implementation of post-Brexit border controls 20 COMMENT Clearing the hurdles to an effective AI vaccination programme 23 COMMENT Why there’s no better time to be celebrating British farming 24 NATIONAL EGG & POULTRY AWARDS WINNER Young Vet of the Year Emma King speaks to Michael Barker about her career to date 28 PEST CONTROL Why controlling rodent numbers is key in the battle against AI 30 POULTRY MEAT CONFERENCE Avian flu, welfare and the cost of production topped the agenda at the conference in Grantham in September 33 PRODUCT NEWS Some of the latest products and machinery to hit the market 34 PRODUCTION DATA EU egg and poultry process and production statistics, and UK statistics from Defra 04 NEWS EU abandons plans for cage ban 06 NEWS Harbro continues to expand poultry business 10 NEWS Keel bone study aims to improve hen welfare 12 NEWS ANALYSIS The latest fallout from the Renewable Heating Incentive scandal in Northern Ireland 14 NEWS ANALYSIS The industry’s advances in reducing antibiotic usage are highlighted in a new report POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 03

4. EU ABANDONS PLANS TO BAN CAGES IN FARMING A News proposed ban on the use of cages in farming across the EU has been shelved. The development was first reported by the Financial Times, which reported the EU considering dropping its plans for stricter animal welfare measures, including the ban on caged farming, in response to cost of living pressures. In June 2021, the European Commission made a commitment to phase out cages in animal farming across the EU in response to a petition named ‘End the Cage Age’, signed by 1.4 million people. The plan had been to present a proposal for a new law by the end of 2023, which would have had a significant impact on the egg sector. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union speech on 13 September and said that rather than ban cages, there would be “more dialogue” on the topic. The move was criticised by Compassion in World Farming, which said it demonstrated “disdain for civic engagement at a time when people are already losing trust in the EU”. NEW AVIAN FLU CASES CONFIRMED IN SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND Two new cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in Scotland and England, bringing the total number of cases over the past year to 204. H5N1 HPAI was confirmed in commercial pullets, at a premises near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire on 10 September. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone was declared. On 8 September, H5N1 HPAI was confirmed in pheasants, at a premises near Warrington, Cheshire. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveil- lance Zone is in place. In the UK, there have been 206 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 1 October 2022: 160 cases in England 37 cases in Scotland 8 cases in Wales 1 case in Northern Ireland RESEARCHERS WARN OF RISK OF AVIAN FLU TRANSMISSION TO HUMANS The results, which have been pub- lished in the journal Cell, report on the characterisation of a human isolate – from a human patient – of the H3N8 avian influenza virus (AIV). Using laboratory mice and ferrets as models for human infection, the study found that the virus has undergone sev- eral adaptive changes to cause severe animal infections and making it trans- missible by the airborne route between animals. In humans, the avian H3N8 virus infec- A new study from researchers in China and Nottingham has discovered that a subtype of avian flu virus, endemic in poultry farms in China, is undergo- ing mutational changes, which could increase the risk of the disease being passed on to humans. Researchers also say that the findings raise concerns of a potential epidemic or pandemic in the making and that concerted research is necessary to closely monitor such viruses in poultry and humans. tion has been found to cause acute res- piratory distress syndrome and can even be fatal. Previously, the features of how it might be transmitted from animals to humans was poorly understood. The study, titled Airborne transmis- sion of human-isolated avian H3N8 influenza virus between ferrets was a collaboration between the University of Nottingham, China Agricultural Univer- sity in Beijing, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 04 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

5. | | NEWS LIDL OFFERING FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR FARMERS TO DIVERSIFY INTO EGG PRODUCTION Lidl GB is offering farmers financial incentives to move into egg farming, in an attempt to increase the supply of British eggs. Existing and new farmers are being offered an additional investment on top of market rates, in addition to long term contracts. Lidl said the arrangement would give producers “the security and confidence needed to invest in and expand their existing businesses, helping to provide greater returns.” Following discussions with packer Farmlay Eggs, cattle breeders Bob and Kay Adam, recently started working with the discount retailer. They chose to diversify their business and invest in a 32,000-bird free- range egg laying unit as part of a five-year contract linked to a cost of production model. The first eggs from their unit will be in Lidl stores within the next two weeks. Martin Kottbauer, chief trading officer at Lidl GB, said: “The last year has been particularly challenging for the British egg industry, and it’s had an impact on everyone. The easy option would certainly have been for us to source elsewhere, but we are firmly committed to the long-standing relationships we have with our British suppliers, and our commitment to sourcing 100% fresh shell British eggs. “As an industry we need to be doing more to ensure the long-term sustainability of the British egg sector, which is why we have taken steps to offer incentives and security for farmers to expand into egg production. This approach, which is supported by long-term contracts, is giving our suppliers Bob and Kay Adam much needed confidence to invest in their businesses and further secure their futures. We would urge other retailers to do the same.” Lidl said it was also supporting existing suppliers and is set to invest an additional £40 million compared to last year. Robert Chapman, of Farmlay Eggs, said: “Farmlay and its 25 contract producers are very grateful to Lidl for its support during a very challenging time with avian influenza a constant threat. The security that Lidl has given us with long-term contracts and a cost of production model ensures a good return, back to the primary producer.” JOHN KIRKPATRICK TO LEAVE TESCO STEVE REED MP APPOINTED SHADOW DEFRA SECRETARY John Kirkpatrick is to leave Tesco, where he has worked in roles in the egg and poultry supply chain for the past nine years. His most recent role was as sustainable farming manager for egg, poultry and feed and was a well-known figure at poultry events and conferences and an active participant in industry schemes such as the NFU’s poultry industry programme. “It has been a pleasure and indeed a very great privilege to serve the business since 2015 with the support and dedication of supplying farmers, processors, packers, stakeholders and Tesco colleagues both nationally John Kirkpatrick Steve Reed MP has been appointed shadow Defra secretary in a reshuffle by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. He replaces Jim McMahon MP, who stepped down shortly before the reshuffle began. Reed is MP for north Croydon and the former shadow justice secretary. He said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Defra. “I will work tirelessly to preserve our precious nature, win a fairer deal for farmers, tackle food price inflation and end the scandal of sewage being dumped in our rivers, lakes and seas.” The British Poultry Council welcomed his appointment and said it would “look forward to working with you to support our poultry producers in delivering a sustainable and secure supply of safe, affordable, nutritious food for every table”. and internationally helping to deliver a healthy, sustainable and affordable poultry and egg offer for our customers,” said Kirkpatrick, announcing his departure on LinkedIn. Tesco has not yet announced his replacement. Steve Reed POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 05

6. NEWS| | HARBRO CONTINUES TO EXPAND POULTRY BUSINESS IN ENGLAND F year, livestock feed manufacturer, Harbro has announced another two new additions to its poultry team, James Tilley and James Girdler who will be focused on expanding the company’s poultry business in England and Wales. Harbro was founded in north east Scotland nearly 50 years ago and today operates a number of compound mills across the UK as well as being a leading on- farm mill and mix specialist, producing over 200,000 tonnes of layer feed and 400,000 tonnes of pig feed a year. David Hilldrith, who joined Harbro earlier in the year as poultry business development manager commented: “This is an exciting time for the business. Harbro feeds a large percentage of layers in Scotland, where the company was founded, but we have a great opportunity to grow the business in England. We are ideally placed to service key poultry areas across England and Wales, either with feed mixed on farm by our Tropper, or supplying compound, and have plans to expand production capacity.” ollowing expansion to its monogastric business earlier in the James Tilley is based in north Wales where his family have farmed for generations. His poultry experience includes roles within a wholesale egg business and more recently another feed company. James Girdler lives near Manchester. With a degree in Animal Science and Nutrition, Girdler has held roles at large-scale poultry producers and within the feed business. The new additions are joining a team that includes Hilldrith and poultry specialist Sam Parker, who is based in Yorkshire and has been with the company for a number of years. AGRICULTURE REMAINS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST INDUSTRIES, NEW DATA SHOWS Twenty one agricultural workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain in the last year, according to new figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The industries with the highest deaths over the past year were construction (45), agriculture, forestry, and fishing (21), manufacturing (15), and transportation and storage (15). Agriculture, forestry, and fishing has the highest rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers of all the main industrial sectors, followed by waste and recycling. The annual data release published by the HSE, Great Britain’s workplace regulator, covers the period from April 2022 to March 2023. The three most common causes of fatal injuries are falls from height (40), being in the world to work. There has been a long-term downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries to workers, though in the years prior to the coronavirus pandemic the rate was broadly flat. A further 68 members of the public were killed following a work-related incident in 2022/23. This is a decrease of 20 from last year. HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Any loss of life in the workplace is a tragedy. “While these figures show Great Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work, safety must continue to be at the top of everyone’s agenda. “Our mission is to protect people and places and we remain committed to maintaining safe workplaces and holding employers to account for their actions.” struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20). The total of 135 worker deaths in 2022/23 is higher than the previous year (123) but is in line with pre-pandemic levels. The figure for 2020/21 was 145. Great Britain is one of the safest places 06 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

8. NEWS| | ANNYALLA CHICKS REPORTS £1.3M ANNUAL PROFIT Annyalla Chicks UK has reported an annual profit of £1.3 million in the year to 31 December 2022. Turnover for the year was £47.7m, which was up on 2021, when the independent hatchery firm recorded sales of £38.8m. But profits are down on 2021, when the figure was £1.5m. The tighter margins are a result of increased costs for feed and energy, the company said. “The company has hedged a large proportion of its feed through 2023 and have utility contracts in place across different areas of the business, which has shielded the company from the volatile energy marketplace.” The company increased prices during 2022 for its chicks and these have helped negate some of the cost increases it has faced. “The company will continue to monitor and move as required to ensure a gross margin that is necessary,” it added. Annyalla Chicks UK is a subsidiary within the group controlled by Enfield Broiler Breeders, an Ireland based company. FORFARMERS UK REPORTS ANNUAL LOSS ForFarmers UK has reported an annual loss after taxation of £167,000 for the year ending December 31 2022. This compares to a profit of £2.53 million the previous year. Turnover during the period was £677.7m, compared to £557.7m the year before. The cost of sales reached £611.2m, far higher than the previous year, when the corresponding figure was £499.5 million. This was largely due to an increase in price of raw materials, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a major producer and exporter of grain. The company, whose principle activity is the manufacture and sale of animal feed, said its parent company ForFarmers NV will provide additional financial support to enable ForFarmers UK to meet its financial liabilities. At the start of July 2022, ForFarmers announced plans to enter into a joint venture with 2Agriculture in the UK. This was abandoned in 2023, following concerns raised by the Competition and Markets Authority. AVIAGEN HOSTS STUDENTS FROM 19 COUNTRIES Aviagen has hosted 36 students from 19 countries in Edinburgh for the 10th Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA) Production Management Breeder School. Throughout the week-long programme at the end of August, participants engaged with experts from Aviagen and the broader industry, exploring essential topics related to bird performance, efficiency, health, and welfare. Key management subjects included female and male rearing and laying, biosecurity, ventilation, lighting, nutrition, health, and data analysis. A highlight of the school was an interactive, real-life case study, where students worked collaboratively in small groups. They applied their newfound knowledge to investigate breeder performance, troubleshoot various challenges, and develop strategies for performance improvement. The students presented their strategies at the culmination of the course, with one team receiving the award for the best presentation. 08 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

9. | | NEWS LANDOWNER WITH BROILER UNIT WITH GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS WINS AWARD NEW NFU CAMPAIGN AIMS TO BUST MYTHS ABOUT EGG PRODUCTION thermal arrays and a high-tech energy monitoring portal. David Grint, chief executive of RASE, said: “The Bledisloe Gold Medal is awarded to a landowner who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the successful land management and development of an agricultural estate in England. “Dr Wake puts community, sustainability and legacy at the heart of every decision made, demonstrating an exceptional model of best practice and one which sets examples for estates across the whole of England.” Dr Wake added: “We’re a family-run business committed to farming as sustainably as possible, working with and protecting the environment, and pushing the boundaries so we can be at the vanguard of positive change.” The NFU has launches ‘A closer look at…’ series, an online tool that helps its members and NFU staff explain the important role of different areas of British farming. The three digital spaces focus on livestock, dairy and poultry and will be regularly updated in line with fresh information. The series examines some of the more misunderstood subject areas of welfare and environmental impact and acts as a tool to positively promote livestock sectors to interested parties, such as MPs or supply chain contacts. The NFU said the initiative had been set up because many elements of agriculture can sometimes be misunderstood by those in industry, government and the general public. The ‘A closer look at poultry’ section explains egg labelling and look at the different types of egg production systems. The NFU’s series looks at the health benefits of having eggs, meat and dairy as part of a healthy diet. A doctor who took over the running of his family’s 2,500-acre estate 10 years ago has won the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners. Dr Johnny Wake, managing partner of Courteenhall Farms in South Northamptonshire, was presented with the award at the Royal Windsor Estate, in recognition of his management of Courteenhall, a diverse rural estate business which has grown substantially over the past decade. The judges looked at a number of Courteenhall’s projects including a new broiler unit, heated with ground source heat pumps. Since he took over the estate, Dr Wake has installed a variety of renewable energy technologies including multiple ground and air source heat pumps, rooftop solar arrays, solar INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VACCINE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ADULT HENS of the upper respiratory tract which can lead to major health, welfare and production issues in poultry, as in addition to respiratory issues it can decrease egg production and egg quality.  We are, therefore, delighted that both Avishield IB H120 and Avishield IB G1-13 are now available for use in adult laying hens, providing poultry producers with even greater flexibility when protecting their flocks.” Dechra’s Avishield poultry vaccine range consists of evolved vaccines for protection against infectious bronchitis, Gumboro and Newcastle disease. ciliary activity, which may manifest in respiratory signs.  It has an onset of immunity three weeks after vaccination and a duration of immunity of eight weeks. It is the second infectious bronchitis vaccine in the Avishield range to be approved for use in laying hens, the first of which was Avishield IB G1-13 which targets the IBV 793B serotype. Johnny Wells West, poultry key account manager at Dechra, said: “Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious disease Dechra has extended the licence on its infectious bronchitis vaccine, Avishield IB H120, which is now available for adult laying hens. Avishield IB H120 contains an attenuated live virus of avian infectious bronchitis, Massachusetts serotype, strain H-120 and is for use in drinking water. It can now be used in all production lines of chickens including broilers, breeding chickens, future layers and adult laying hens, with no impact on egg production.  The vaccine is intended for the active immunisation of chickens to reduce the effects of avian infectious bronchitis serotype Massachusetts infection on (HATCHERIES) LTD P.D. Hook (Hatcheries) Ltd Cote, Bampton, Oxfordshire OX18 2EG www.pdhook.co.ukQuality Broiler Chicks ‘Driving the poultry industry forward’ Tel: 01993 850261 Email: sales@pdhook.co.uk POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 09

10. NEWS| | NEW KEEL BONE STUDY AIMS TO IMPROVE HEN WELFARE A project to understand bone health in laying hens aims to support their health and welfare, and inform breeding selection as the industry moves towards non-caged systems.   Outcomes from the international study will inform the selection of hens suited to egg production, whose breastbones are vulnerable to fractures, especially in non- caged birds.   The collaboration led by Roslin scientists aims to develop a process of directly assessing the health of chicken’s keel bone, or sternum.   Additionally, researchers will seek to better understand how nutrition can be optimised in caged and non-caged hens, and how the timing of maturity in hens, when they start to lay, affects subsequent bone quality.   The five-year study is funded by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research via the US Department of Agriculture. Research into the keel bone builds on previous work by the same Roslin team, which developed a digital X-ray procedure for assessing keel bone density by imaging the legs of hens.     Researchers hope to further develop this work to establish a speedy, efficient, practicable method to measure quality in the keel bone directly and to apply artificial intelligence to automate imaging and analysis.   A practical way to measure bone density in the keel bone could also help reduce the number of animals needed for research into nutritional and management aids for bone health.   Researchers will also investigate possible dietary approaches that might allow hens time to develop strong bones before they reach maturity and begin to lay eggs, which will help to reduce the risk of keel bone fractures in extensively housed laying hens.   The team will seek to determine whether the genetic basis of keel bone quality can be assessed in the same way for caged or non- caged hens, or whether each environment needs to be considered independently.   Researchers from the Roslin Institute will work in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guelph, University of Alberta, University of Granada, and with commercial partners Lohmann Breeding and Hyline.  “Keel bone damage is a particular problem as non-cage systems are in increasing use across the world. This project seeks to enable genetic selection directly for the keel bone itself, as well as novel nutritional approaches and the influence of the timing of when hens start to lay eggs on their bone quality,” said Professor Ian Dunn of the Roslin Institute. GROCERY PRICE INFLATION LOWEST IN OVER A YEAR Grocery price inflation has dropped to its lowest level in over 12 months at 12.2% for the four weeks to September 3, according to the latest data from Kantar. Take-home sales from the grocers rose by 7.4% compared with the same period in 2022, a slight increase on the 6.5% growth reported last month. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: “Grocery price inflation is down for the sixth month in a row but 12.2% won’t be a number to celebrate for many households. Our data shows that 95% of consumers are still worried about the impact of rising grocery prices, matched only by their concern about energy bills. After a full year of double digit grocery inflation, it’s no surprise that just under a quarter of the population consider themselves to be struggling financially – although this is a very slight drop compared to May.” The discount retailers have benefited from the inflationary context with knock-on effects for British shopping habits more generally, now capturing 17.7% of the sector. Sainsbury’s and Tesco were the fastest growing traditional retailers this month, growing sales by 9.1% and 9.3% respectively. Tesco’s share now stands at 27.2%, up by 0.3 percentage points from last year, and Sainsbury’s at 14.8%, up by 0.2 percentage points. Asda’s market share is at 13.8% and Morrisons’ 8.6%, with sales up by 5.1% and 2.0% respectively. Waitrose’s growth accelerated to 5.6% this month, meaning that the retailer now holds 4.6% of the market. Ocado also saw sales increasing faster than last month, with growth now at 4.3% and market share at 1.6%. Co-op’s sales were up by 2.5% , now holding a 6.1% market share. Iceland’s sales rose by 4.3% to take a share of 2.3%. REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF EGGS A new review paper, The importance of eggs in an environmentally sustainable diet, has been published in the British Nutrition Foundation’s Nutrition Bulletin, explaining that eggs are responsible for less carbon, land and water use than other animal proteins. Dr Pamela Mason, public health nutritionist, who authored the review, said: “As we shift towards more planet- friendly diets, there needs to be a clear understanding of principles underpinning a healthy, sustainable diet. “It’s wrong to categorise eggs with other animal products, in particular red meat, in terms of environmental impact, and their importance as an affordable high-quality protein should not be overlooked.” The review evaluated scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers on the environmental impact of eggs in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, then compared the impacts of eggs with those of other animal and plant proteins. “Eggs have the lowest environmental impact of any animal protein and provide important nutrients, particularly beneficial for people choosing to eat less red meat,” said Andrew Joret, chairman of the British Egg Industry Council. 10 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

12. NEWS ANALYSIS| |Renewable Heating Incentive RHI scandal victory A high court ruling means a poultry farmer will not have to repay £53,000 in RHI money. For now. the scheme. Last month, a poultry farmer from Colraine – Thomas Paul – sought a judicial review of a decision ordering him to repay RHI money to the Department for Economy (DfE). The case was resolved on a legal technicality in his favour. Paul was one of many farmers who the Government accused of claiming too much money under the RHI scheme. His solicitor is Brian Moss, of Worthington’s Law in Belfast (pictured). Moss spoke to Poultry Business about the case and its implications for the industry. Moss said his client had two boilers accredited to the RHI scheme. Before the scheme was launched, he used LPG to heat his sheds. “Poultry farmers require a lot of heat, so a source of cheap heat was always going to be of interest,” said Moss. Hundreds of poultry farmers signed up to the scheme, which offered subsidies for the use of wood pellet boilers. It quickly became clear the scheme was open to abuse by some unscrupulous people who could claim money for heating empty orror show” and “outrageous” are just two of the ways the Renewable Poultry farmers require a lot of heat, so a source of cheap heat was always going to be of interest Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in Northern Ireland has been described in the 11 years since it was introduced. Poorly designed with no limits on how much could be claimed (unlike in England), the RHI scheme was launched in 2012 and signed off by Arlene Foster, who was then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who admitted she didn’t even read the documents before giving it the green light. Years of pain and misery have now been endured by numerous poultry producers who signed up in good faith, but in 2017 had their subsidies cut, and since then have faced attempts to recoup tens of thousands of pounds in payments. And while it is still far from over, a new legal decision could have implications for numerous poultry farmers fighting the Government over accusations they misused interest were producers who had reduced the amount of heat they were using. Moss said the DfE took this to be a sign that they had previously been overclaiming. However, Moss said in fact Paul had, along with many other poultry farmers, looked at ways to cut heat usage for legitimate reasons. With reduced subsidies, “they couldn’t afford to run the boilers,” said Moss. While heating sheds is an effective way to ensure a good environment for poultry, there are other ways to manage the environment with less heat, such as reducing the ventilation. “DfE outsourced the enforcement functions under the scheme to Ofgem, the energy regulator,” said Moss. “Ofgem wrote to a number of clients sheds. As recriminations began and costs to the public finances mounted, innocent claimants were lumped in with those who took advantage of the scheme. The fallout ended up with the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont. After it reduced the subsidies in 2017, the DfE decided to audit the RHI participants. Of particular 12 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

13. be heard on 31 “Everybody who has received a recoupment notice is entitled to have that reviewed,” he said. The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) said approximately 130 participants of the RHI will be impacted by the outcome. The UFU president David Brown described the whole situation as ‘outrageous’. “It is almost a dead cert that there are cases of a similar nature, where participants have been made to repay money because they were allegedly abusing the scheme,” he said. “We urge UFU members to seek legal advice as they will be impacted by this outcome. “For many years, UFU members who entered the RHI scheme endured suspicion and have had accusations thrown at them. Innocent parties were wrongly ejected from the scheme and forced to repay subsidies like the poultry farmer who contested the sanctions imposed on him which exposed the unlawful behaviour of DfE. Since the beginning of this scandal, we have stood by our farmers who endured false allegations and have been active in protesting their innocence. Vindication is needed for those members who were wrongly tarred with the same RHI brush of fraudulent behaviour. “Prior to this court hearing we raised questions about DfE’s competence, capacity and capability to manage the scheme. These were wrongly dismissed but now there is no doubt about DfE’s competence – it is completely shot. “The RHI scandal is a huge setback for renewables in Northern Ireland and there is a strong case to be made for ‘levelling up’ support for green energy here. We now want to see ownership of the RHI scheme being removed from DfE and are in full support of Renewable Heat Association of Northern Ireland in their call to the Secretary of State to pass legislation in Westminster that would transfer the resources and the authority to the national lead department in Whitehall.” Moss described the management of the scheme as a “horror show” and a “another chapter in a sorry saga of public administration.” It is clear legal arguments will continue for years to come, with poultry farmers and the Government resorting to court cases to try and resolve the bitterly contested details. While this case was resolved on a technicality, if it does return to court, Moss is ready to make the case for his clients. “We have a whole range of legal points. The department knows we are ready to come back at them.” PB was unable to reach Thomas Paul for comment. August, said Moss, but “a week before, DfE threw in the towel.” At the eleventh hour, DfE acknowledged that while Ofgem sought to recover the money, they weren’t legally entitled to do that. The outcome meant the decisions to revoke Paul’s membership of the RHI scheme and the decision to recoup £53,000 were both quashed, with implications for others currently engaged in legal action. It also meant DfE has to pay both its own legal costs and that of Paul. “There are eight judicial reviews still outstanding,” said Moss. “I think this means they will have to concede other cases.” The barrister representing DfE asked for “some time” said Moss, but will shortly have to present a paper to outline what it intends to do next. Moss said that while the process DfE and Ofgem followed has been unlawful, it “doesn’t mean it can’t fix that,” by giving Ofgem the relevant powers in law. For other claimants who have been asked to repay money, but who are not currently pursuing legal action, there are other implications. Moss said. Since the beginning of this scandal, we have stood by our farmers who endured false allegations and have been active in protesting their innocence saying ‘we note you have cut back your heat usage; therefore we believe your payments before were to increase your income.’” Ofgem told the participants they intended to recover the subsidies they had been previously paid. In effect, said Moss, they told the claimants: “We are kicking you out of the scheme and we are clawing back the money.” Moss told PB he had between 60 to 70 other clients all in a similar position to Paul. In Thomas Paul’s case, the amount was £53,000. He was told he had 90 days to find the money. Paul then had the right to seek a statutory review, under RHI regulations. Statutory reviews are decided by the DfE, so the department was reviewing the decision made on its own behalf by Ofgem. The DfE upheld Ofgem’s decision. Paul’s next step was to seek a judicial review of the statutory review. Along with eight other poultry producers in a similar situation, Moss was engaged to represent Paul in the judicial review. “Mr Paul’s case went forward as the test case,” explained Moss. The case was going to PB POSED THE DFE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. HERE ARE THE RESPONSES: Q1 reviews. What does DfE intend to do in those cases? The Department cannot discuss the detail of the individual cases. However, each case will be determined by reference to its own facts. Q2 of RHI subsidy money, does the DfE now intend to try and give Ofgem those powers? Ofgem and the Department have already considered the administrative arrangements and are clear on their There are several other poultry farmers currently seeking judicial respective roles. Q3 the judicial review of Thomas Paul’s case? The legal fees have not yet been determined. Q4 the DfE believes have overclaimed RHI subsidies? How much public money has DfE spent on legal fees during How much money has been recouped from poultry farmers Given Ofgem did not have the legal right to demand repayment Recoupment decisions relating to the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme are the subject of ongoing legal challenge and it would be inappropriate to comment. POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 13

14. NEWS ANALYSIS alternative options for treatment have been explored, the report states. No fluoroquinolones were used in chickens in 2022, but a single breeder flock and some meat turkeys were treated on the advice of veterinary surgeons following full investigations, including antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Macrolides were prescribed as a last resort under the direction of vets to treat a specific bacterial infection that posed a risk to bird welfare. BPC chief executive Richard Griffiths said: “The safe and responsible use of antibiotics has been prioritised by the poultry meat industry since 2011. “A billion birds a year are reared for food in this country and our farmers have a duty of care to every single one. Part of that duty of care includes working with professional veterinarians to safeguard bird health and wellbeing by ensuring the sustainability of our antibiotics. Whilst it is important that we continue to challenge antibiotic use levels and strive for further reduction, it is crucial birdkeepers treat their birds under strict veterinary direction if required to ensure the health and welfare of their livestock is not compromised. “The BPC Antibiotic Stewardship has taken the lead in understanding use and impact, and is committed to maintaining an open and honest dialogue by sharing best practice experience across the sector. The Stewardship recognises that sharing information in a non- competitive forum is key to not only reducing overall antibiotic usage but also preserving the effectiveness of the limited number of antibiotic licensed for use in poultry species. “Preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics is critical to the long- term sustainability of the industry. As new alternate management practices and therapies come to market, these will be critically assessed, and the benefits and experiences gained shared across the sector.” BPC members have achieved a 79.5% reduction in total antibiotic use Antibiotic achievement A new report has highlighted the poultry industry’s good work in reducing antibiotic usage since 2012 T pcu recorded in chickens and turkeys respectively in 2014. In ducks, the figure for 2022 is just 0.29 mg/pcu – down from 15.11 in 2011 – although no target has been set for the species. Looking in more detail at the use of critically important antibiotics (CIAs), the report notes that BPC Antibiotic Stewardship follows World Health Organisation guidelines, adding that the UK poultrymeat industry uses the highest priority CIAs only as a “last resort”. No preventative treatments are administered. Macrolides and fluoroquinolones are only prescribed by the supervising vet following a detailed investigation into the causal problem and after he poultry industry’s huge strides in reducing antibiotic use over the past and welfare of birds, underlining that the responsible use of antibiotics is about “so much more than just reduction targets”. There is no ultimate aim to eliminate all antibiotics, and indeed BPC states that zero use is neither ethical nor sustainable as it “goes against a farmer’s duty of care to address any health and welfare issues”. The poultry sector has been measuring itself against targets established by the RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance) Targets Task Force, and the latest figures indicate that the BPC membership is continuing to remain under target. In chickens, antibiotic use is currently 14.05mg/pcu – well under the RUMA target of 25 mg/ pcu. In turkeys, the current figure is 41.07 mg/pcu, comfortably inside the RUMA target of 50 mg/ pcu. In both cases, that’s a huge reduction in antibiotic use from the 48.75 mg/pcu and 219.51 mg/ decade have been outlined in a new report – alongside a warning that their responsible use remains critical to ensuring bird health and welfare in the years ahead. The British Poultry Council (BPC) Antibiotic Stewardship Report 2023 details the industry’s performance since the Stewardship was set up in 2011 as a strategy for the responsible use of antibiotics in the UK poultrymeat sector. Since 2012, member businesses have achieved a 79.5% reduction in total antibiotic use, and an even more impressive 98.7% reduction in critically important antibiotics. Despite these successes, the BPC stresses that farmers and veterinarians need antibiotics in their toolbox to protect the health It is crucial birdkeepers treat their birds under strict veterinary direction 14 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

17. NEWS ANALYSIS The implementation of the Government’s Border Target Operating Model has been delayed for a fifth time Fifth border delay frays nerves The announcement of the final Border Target Operating Model was accompanied by news of a further delay to its implementation, dismaying industry groups. Michael Barker reports E place from 31 January 2024. The Government said it had agreed to the latest three-month delay after “listening to the views of industry” and to give stakeholders additional time to prepare for the new checks. It also noted that the estimated impact of the BTOM on food inflation is expected to be less than 0.2% across three years. The introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on those same products will now take place on 30 April 2024, alongside imports of SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) goods from the rest of the world switching to the new risk-based model. On October 31, 2024, safety and security declarations for EU imports will come into force. The full BTOM is detailed in a 136-page report, the key features of which explain how the new model should minimise trader burdens and maintain border security while remaining aligned This is not just an issue for competitiveness, but also for our nation’s biosecurity ver since Britain’s departure from the EU was signalled in that seismic based approach that will reduce paperwork and duplication. It also stated the new approach would save businesses around £520 million per year compared to the original import model that would have been introduced in 2022. So what does the final BTOM entail, and how have the poultry and farming sectors reacted to news of a further delay that sees EU sellers into this country still unencumbered by border checks while UK exporters are saddled with them in the opposite direction? According to the new timetable, health certification on imports of medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high- risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU will now take referendum of June 23, 2016, the nation’s poultry exporters have wondered what the new trading environment with their biggest partner would look like. Seven years on, on August 29 the UK Government announced yet another delay to the implementation of its Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), the system of controls to protect the country against biosecurity threats. It insisted the final BTOM would help deliver its 2025 Border Strategy to create “the most effective border in the world”, using smarter data and technology to create a risk- with international standards, and how it is tackling SPS controls. When it comes to safety and security, the model is designed to reduce data requirements down from the current 37-field dataset to 20 mandatory, eight conditional and nine optional fields; make it easier to submit safety and security data through the UK Single Trade Window; improve the use of data by the UK Government to remove duplication; and remove safety POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 17

18. NEWS ANALYSIS ‘HUGELY FRUSTRATING FOR PRODUCERS’ Agency inspection capacity, to avoid delays. and security requirements for certain outbound freeport goods. For SPS, the flagship policy is the adoption of a new global risk-based approach that applies to live animals, products of animal origin and animal by- products, among other things, which will now be categorised as high, medium or low risk with controls “appropriately weighted against the risks posed both by the commodity and country of origin”. Simplified and digitised health certificates will be brought in, while the Government says it will pilot schemes with industry where authorised importers of plants, plant products and some animal products may be eligible for facilitations to make importing easier. On poultry, specifically, the strategy states that under certain conditions and requirements, some live animals could receive identity and physical checks at their destination instead. It is foreseen that this will apply to ‘zoo animals’ that are headed to an approved listed site and consignments of day-old chicks and hatching eggs where these are headed to an approved site under an expanded, yet to be published, Poultry Health Scheme model. and other industries are yet to feel the full weight of. There is also lingering soreness from the UK poultry industry after it was criticised by its own government for a “lack of preparedness” from 1 January 2021, according to the BPC. “Concerns that importers and other businesses have expressed are what BPC members have endured since 1 January 2021,” Griffiths continued. “Additional administration, like Official Veterinarian-signed export health certificates, have cost industry £55 million a year since leaving the single market. EU exporters, on the other hand, have paid £0 in certification costs. Delaying the implementation of food import controls for the fifth time in two years means the EU continue to enjoy a competitive advantage. By no means do we ‘want’ checks, per se. What we ‘want’ is to fix the problems putting pressure on our supply chains. That starts by equalising trade between importers and exporters.” Griffiths described the Government’s reference to inflation as a “get-out-of- jail-free card”, adding that if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to honour commitments to the food industry that they will have what they need to fulfil their role in society, he must level the playing field on controls as a first step. “The cost of not having reciprocal checks is greater than the burdens that come with them.” Griffiths concluded. “To preserve the viability of British poultrymeat businesses, we must make relations with our largest and most important trading partner as efficient as possible by establishing fair and reciprocated checks to equalise trade between importers and exporters, in which these burdens could be addressed, and checks simplified.” While the publication of the final BTOM has brought relief, many sectors of farming, including poultry, reacted with dismay to news of a further delay. NFU president Minette Batters expressed frustration at the fact that British farmers are continuing to face one-sided export controls while EU counterparts gain unfettered access to the UK market. “This is not just an issue for competitiveness, with British farmers faced with additional costs and paperwork, but also for our nation’s biosecurity,” she said. “Proportionate and effective controls are necessary if we are to prevent outbreaks of pests and diseases that threaten human, animal and plant health, the safety, quality and biosecurity of our food products and the confidence of our trading partners.” While many of the NFU’s specific concerns related to plant health material and phytosanitary checks, the union is also seeking clarity of how the opening hours of border control posts are aligned with ‘just in time’ supply chains, and ensuring there are sufficiently resourced operations, including Animal Plant Health BIOSECURITY RISK The British Poultry Council (BPC) said the fifth round of delays to border controls poses food safety and biosecurity risks, undercuts domestic production and amplifies the food inflation challenge. Chief executive Richard Griffiths said: “Citing inflation defers rather than confronts the consequences of the commercial realities of Brexit. It side-steps round the fact that a large portion of cost-of-production pressures stem from the lack of clarity surrounding unreciprocated controls and regulatory timelines. So much for wanting more British food on plates and striving for self-sufficiency.” Griffiths cited ongoing frustration from the poultry industry towards the Government’s post-Brexit planning, noting that exporters had just seven days to prepare for the conditions of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement signed on Christmas Eve 2020, which importers So much for wanting more British food on plates and striving for self-sufficiency Health certification is now expected to take place from January 31 2024 18 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

20. COMMENT| | CLEARING THE HURDLES TO AN EFFECTIVE AI VACCINATION PROGRAMME of animal standards in international trade agreements are vital to ensure ‘fair trade’ and not ‘free trade’. We have given the same message and the same evidence that we have previously provided in our response to the Trade and Agriculture Committee and numerous parliamentary committee inquiries. This has set out how the Government’s choice to not include eggs and egg products as ‘sensitive’ in the CPTPP agreement will have potentially catastrophic effects for the British egg industry. The government’s current approach to trade agreements leaves the fact that what they say about animal welfare standards being important in serious doubt. It will be important for the UK to influence the debate within the EU wherever possible It is important to remember that biosecurity remains the best defence against AI, however, vaccination can play an important role. We will continue to work with the Government to help overcome the obstacles to vaccination and we will also keep a close eye on developments with AI vaccination within the EU as it will be important for the UK to influence the debate within the EU wherever possible, given the trade implications it may have for British agriculture and farming’s biggest market, the Single Market. In terms of international trade, the BEIC has highlighted to the Government’s Animal Sentience Committee the importance MARK WILLIAMS is chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) W hilst we are not seeing multiple cases of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) each night, as we were in October/November last year, the threat from this particular virus remains. At the time of writing there have been 206 cases since October 1 2022. Scotland is currently feeling the pressure with new cases being confirmed, mostly in game birds and back yard flocks, brought about by the infection in wild birds. As we move into autumn we are going to face further challenges from this particular virus, therefore everyone involved in every part of the British egg industry must pay attention to biosecurity. The BEIC is continuing to engage with the Government on the issue of vaccination against AI. The joint industry / government AI vaccination task force continues to meet regularly with a report to be shortly drafted for presentation to the government’s Avian Disease Policy Group. Among other points, we will be emphasising the following in the report: the need for suitable vaccines against AI, which can be easily administered, cost-effective surveillance, and avoiding trade barrier being put up against our exports of breeding stock poultry and eggs. As previously reported, the cost of surveillance is currently incredibly high and will effectively mean it won’t happen for most sectors. The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority to provide a report on surveillance by the end of March 2024. This is timed to report on how the French have implemented their surveillance programme once they start to vaccinate their mule ducks in October. The reason why the EU position is so important is that the UK is to follow the EU delegated act, which has set such a high bar on surveillance. 20 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

21. | | COMMENT WE SHOULD START DISCUSSING THE LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF GENETICS It is fine to rely on one supplier for chemicals, feed or bedding. If there is a problem, another supplier can pick up the business. But for genetics, the stock and facilities take years to build up, we all know this. With a flat domestic market, the ability to invest money on long term nice-to-haves is clearly curtailed. However, if decisions are always made on the short term financial picture, the strategic threats to the industry will grow. And I would say only having one genetic supplier is a long term strategic threat. Just like buyers of eggs wouldn’t pay more until the bottom of the market fell out, the meat industry may find itself similarly TOM WOOLMAN runs his own consultancy, Cadenza Management Services hamstrung if it doesn’t pay more now to improve the resilience of its supply chains. We’ve all shuddered at the price of petrol at a motorway service station. That’s what happens when you need a product and there is no competition. I’m not expecting integrators, who are currently losing millions of pounds to make the investment now, but any retailer worth their salt ought to be thinking long and hard about this issue and how they can work with their suppliers to build both a competitive and resilient supply of genetics for the long term. to build a competitive and resilient supply of genetics U nder pressure to keep their books balanced, Cobb won’t be exhibiting at the Pig and Poultry Fair next year. They have some great people, but the harsh reality is the Cobb 500 hasn’t been stacking up in performance in the European market against the Ross 308 for quite some time. The impact may only equate to one or two pence per kilo, but this is a high-volume low-margin industry. Now while the Ross has made some outstanding performance gains over the past decade, we all know genetics is a long-term game. And with broiler genetics in the hands of only two companies globally, putting all your eggs in one basket could have serious consequences. If Cobb continue to reduce their capacity to supply the European market, how will we know that the capability will be there when we may (or I would predict will) need it in the future? Retailers ought to be thinking about how they can work with their suppliers With a new supply chain manager coming at Tesco, perhaps it is time to open a discussion? SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS IS RISKING OUR FOOD SECURITY ready in three weeks, so when gaps start extending towards seven weeks, with little maintenance to do on a modern unit, it feels like a long time. The value of poultrymeat has to be realised, it is a fantastic value protein, even with small price increases on the shelves. It would make all the difference to those poultrymeat has to be realised, it is a fantastic value protein, even with small price increases on the shelves us to export food production, this risks food safety and security. We only need to look at the ever closer threat of African swine fever in the pig industry, yet the Government once again has delayed border checks, it is simply not good enough! As an industry we have ever increasing constraints on new broiler farms, therefore we do not want to lose existing ones. Despite all this poultry is still the market leading meat and there is still strong demand for British. Given Yorkshire is still a place planners show more enthusiasm for agriculture, September saw us commencing a new broiler breeder unit and we look forward to getting the new site integrated into our business. Build costs have risen dramatically since our last build in 2018, but we still believe modern facilities will lead the way in efficient production. MATT DONALD is a pig and poultry farmer from North Yorkshire T The increased pressures on The value of the broiler industry have meant a slightly subdued demand for hatching eggs, this has a knock on effect in that if we have longer turnarounds, this pushes up our cost of production. Fixed costs, particularly loans, are still to cover and we need birds on the ground to do this. We operate on an all in-all out basis and can have a farm growers who are just ‘getting by’ at the moment. The Government needs to take action on monitoring what is coming into this country, as right now there is no focus on food security and the short sightedness of some ministers is allowing POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 21

22. COMMENT| | YOU WANT LOWER STOCKING DENSITIES? FINE, PAY FOR IT THEN Lower stocking densities adds costs. It also takes farm performance back several years CHARLES BOURNS Lower stocking densities also adds costs, which the retailer seems reluctant to give back. It also takes farm performance back several years. My first crop grown in 1989 had a performance of 1.86kg in 42 days with an FCR 2.14:1. Today, I believe 1.86kg would be reached in 32 days with a 1.49 FCR. The customer has had the benefit of this improvement in performance in giving them a fantastic value for money product. If the retailer wants lower stocking density chicken they will have to pay more. We are happy to produce it. If we are changing our system widely then we must promote it. We all sell under the Red Tractor brand and they should promote it more, as the Lion Code does with eggs. TV is not as expensive as you might think. At present all I hear is that the Red Tractor want to bring in new environmental standards. Whilst I know the Wye Valley situation is important – I live seven miles from it – I do not see why their solution needs to adopted by everybody, adding more unnecessary costs. is the chairman of the Copa-Cogeca working group on poultry and eggs T his month’s theme is nothing new. Years ago, there was competition amongst the retailers to prove ‘how green is my valley’; this has now changed to ‘who has the lowest stocking density?’ It is supposed to show they have higher welfare standards. If only that were true. It is, in fact, the stockman who demonstrates high welfare, and not the system. One problem I see is that some producers are growing to 30kg per square metres with Ross 308s and others are using JA87. There is a big difference in cost of production with the two breeds, but because of customers’ lack of knowledge, the retailer gets away with it. The same happens in the Netherlands where every retailer has its own standard. One of our protein rivals is fish and I found it interesting to discover that on salmon farms they have up to 25% mortality, which everyone seemed to accept, and the farms still made a profit. I make this passing comment to say that just maybe we in the poultry industry should be given more credit for the fantastic job we do. Lastly it seems that the retailers are queueing up to give the egg industry money to help producers into the industry. Let’s hope it does not encourage too many in and we end up with too many eggs again and depressed prices. Or is that the idea?! WE NEED THE TOOLS TO BUILD UPON OUR HIGH STANDARDS the world class standards BPC members work hard to uphold is a good thing, but it goes to show that a vet shortage is part of a bigger problem pointing to the crucial importance of fairness (and the lack of it) in the supply chain. Deriving from a long-standing Government inability to prioritise and facilitate routes for investment in production, there are no easy fixes or quick wins to be had in this conversation, especially in the context of continued unsustainable export arrangements with the EU.  Consistent and sufficient resource is essential to preserve the long- term viability of the industry feeding the nation, particularly in relation to the immediate burdens and costs of an altered economic and regulatory environment. A lack of OVs, combined with the onerous administration that has cost industry around £55 million a year since January 1 2021, means critical processes keeping food moving have slowed down. It is a deteriorating situation: the value of our exports dropped 50% between 2020 and 2022 as result of costly and disproportionate trade barriers. If we cannot find a long- term solution to workforce shortages or find ways to ease the pressure on our limited existing network of vets then the impact will be felt on our world class standards of animal welfare, food safety and international trade.  Safe, affordable, nutritious poultry is half the meat the nation eats so it is essential that we address the challenges that risk impeding our progress, particularly if we want our industry to continue embodying the qualities that underpin our supply chain and beyond. A vet shortage is the pinnacle of a number of problems, whereby we need government to engage with industry to identify what changes are needed and how they can be delivered in such a way to shape the future of poultrymeat supply chains. Prioritising investment in sufficient resource says “we are proud of the standards we operate to, here are the tools to bolster them.” KERRY MAXWELL communications manager, British Poultry Council I think the qualities we embody as an industry underpin everything we hope to be as a society. Transparency, trustworthiness, and collaboration are not just personal qualities to aspire to, they are the bedrock of our supply chain. But it is only getting clearer that progress in all areas of our food system is being constrained by a lack of access to investment, insufficient resource, availability of qualified professionals and, ultimately, a whole lot of uncertainty.  By no means are we the only ones concerned by the challenges wrapped up in an ongoing vet shortage: the FSA made it clear in their 2022 report that they are implementing measures, including supporting local authority efforts, to recruit and retain the likes of vets and inspectors. The FSA backing 22 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

23. COMMENT| | NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO CELEBRATE BRITISH FARMING AIMEE MAHONY is NFU chief poultry adviser NFU president Minette Batters with Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey as they mark Back British Farming Day It’s probably more important than ever that we continue to back British farming 365 days of the year T a good impression on the group. The evening was hosted by the Kelly family in Essex followed by a tour of their enterprising and award- winning business on day two, and their hospitality was second to none. Huge thanks to Paul Kelly for hosting and inspiring the group and for all you do to promote seasonal turkey production. I’d like to share an extended thank you to everybody who has hosted or met the PIP members over the past 12 months. while this final event marks the end of this year’s PIP, this will not be the last we will see or hear from the 12 bright, dedicated, and professional young people that have completed the programme. Just being around them empowers you to keep pushing forwards and ensuring that there British farming 365 days of the year. Whilst discussions were ongoing in Westminster, on Back British Farming Day itself, young poultry producers on the NFU’s Poultry Industry Programme (PIP) were ending their year of training and supply chain visits with a focus on renewables and seasonal poultry production. The two-day visit started in Norfolk at the home of the Joice family. The PIP has solid roots with the late Patrick Joice and so we were delighted to be hosted by Patrick’s family and members of the group had the chance to see the in-house hatching of eggs on a broiler farm and learn all about the on-site heat generating muck burner. The group were then treated to a run down of diversifications and renewable investments on the nearby Raynham Estate and the enthusiasm and drive of the Farm Manager was something that left he NFU recently led the annual Back British Farming Day celebrations, bringing together more than 100 MPs and Peers at the heart of decision-making in Westminster. It could be said that there has never been a more pivotal time to celebrate and promote the importance of British food and farming. It was encouraging to hear the Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey say that farmers are “the bedrock of our communities, right around the countryside, but more importantly our farmers are the people who put the food on our plates”. She also said that the Government was on the side of British farming, and I know there are many farmers who don’t necessarily feel or believe this to be the case. Therefore, as well as promoting all things food and farming on one day of the year, it’s probably more important than ever that we continue to back is a progressive and profitable future for them in the industry. Aged 20-35 years old and feeling inspired to make a difference in the poultry sector or wanting to push yourself outside of your comfort zone? If yes to any of the above, then we will be recruiting for the next PIP in the early part of 2024 so keep a look out on NFU online or follow @NFU_Poultry on Twitter for more details. POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 23

24. FEATURE| |National Egg & Poultry Award winner A love of bird watching led to a careetr treating poultry for Young Farm Vet of the Year Emma King King’s crowning glory Emma King was named Young Farm Vet of the Year at the 2023 National Egg & Poultry Awards, and as she tells Michael Barker, this was the only career she ever wanted Winner OF THE YEAR eing a poultry vet isn’t for the faint hearted right now. With farms struggling with the challenges of avian flu, (PHS), King has progressed rapidly through the ranks in an industry that is crying out for new talent. It’s fair to say most budding vets don’t grow up dreaming of a career in the poultry industry, but as she readily admits, King has always forged her own path. “I was a bit of a weird kid!” she laughs. “I loved birds and bird watching, and I wanted to have a career working with birds. I had a variety of bird- related jobs when I was younger – I worked at a raptor centre doing flying displays, and then I got a job picking eggs on a layer farm. pressure to reduce antibiotic use, and the general industry desire to continually improve bird welfare, there’s a huge amount to deal with on the front line. But for Emma King, named Young Farm Vet of the Year at the 2023 National Egg & Poultry Awards, there was never any thought of a different career. Now the lead vet for the north-east region at Poultry Health Services YOUNG FARM VET NATIONAL EGG & POULTRY AWARDS 2023 24 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

25. antibiotic-free production, because I think a huge amount of that is just public perception,” King observes. “All the medications we use have withdrawal times which have been very thoroughly researched, to the tune of huge amounts of money. While resistance transference is a concern, it really worries me the potential impact on welfare of having systems where we commit to antibiotic free. I think the phrase ‘as little as possible but as much as necessary’ is really valid.” King’s directed her career so far at the turkey sector, both because she finds them a particularly interesting bird and because there’s traditionally been less focus on them as something of a minor species. That means there’s less information and research available, which in turn means there’s more to learn and discover. Gut health and coccidiosis are her specialist areas, and with a lack of field data available on the different cocci species, there’s plenty of scope to contribute something meaningful to the industry. It goes without saying that any vet would be highly concerned with animal welfare, and during a time of severe avian flu pressure it can be a sobering experience to have to go on to farms and witness swathes of sick birds. Biosecurity has become the watchword of the day as the industry grapples with that problem, and King played a role as part of a team at Avara Foods rolling out a biosecurity overhaul of turkey farms to assess and document weak spots, triaging farms and taking action to install features such as double barriers and dead hatches. “As a vet that was quite an interesting experience,” King recalls. “We bang on about biosecurity all the time, but to actually be out on farms looking at control rooms and planning and putting in double barriers, discussing it all with builders and getting things installed in a way that works practically, was really useful and quite satisfying.” Awareness of biosecurity has increased massively over the past couple of years, and farmers and authorities are working more closely together to manage the AI threat as well as possible. When it comes to animal welfare, King says the turkey sector is currently focused on bringing more windows and natural light into sheds, adding that the whole poultry industry is going to have to It really worries me the potential impact on welfare of having systems where we commit to antibiotic free Emma King became a lead vet after just three years at PHS I knew there was a shortage of poultry vets so career prospects seemed quite good and it also felt like a good way to tie my interests together.” King has taken that level of self-awareness and clear knowledge of a progression path into her career itself. Having qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2016 and joining PHS upon graduation, she moved up to being a lead vet after just three years. Despite that early success, however, she still felt she needed more hands-on farm experience to fully understand both sides of the business, so she stepped away for a year and became an area manager at Avara Foods, exposing herself to a completely different perspective of poultry production. “I learnt loads and it was a very steep learning curve, but I wanted to get more context and know what is and isn’t practical on farms when I’m giving advice as a vet,” she explains. “In poultry we are under massive pressure to reduce antibiotic use and to do preventative healthcare, so the more traditional style of veterinary practice where we diagnose disease ‘x’ and give antibiotic ‘y’ isn’t really enough in poultry. For the preventative approach you need to really understand how birds are grown on farm. That’s what I wanted to learn, and I really liked getting to see the birds from brooding all King’s crowning glory the way through to kill age, and have that bit more involvement rather than just going out when there’s a problem.” The mention of antibiotic reduction brings up a live issue facing the industry, namely the balance between cutting down on antibiotics versus animal welfare concerns. While producers have massively reduced antibiotic use over the past decade, there’s still a drive – supported by government and retailers – towards further reduction. It’s interesting, therefore, to hear a vet’s perspective. “I’m quite strongly opposed to the concept of POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 25

26. FEATURE| |National Egg & Poultry Award winner Emma King says she prefers being a poultry vet, as “welfare impact is much bigger” In poultry, you make a good decision and implement something on the farm and that can be 500,000 animals that you’ve helped deal with the issue of stocking densities over the coming years as government regulations change. King is keen to be involved with industry affairs – “to stick her nose in”, as she jokingly refers to it – and sits on the APHA Avian Expert Group, as well being recently elected to the British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA) committee. That’s on top of various product trials and research projects, and two externships with the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Centre at the University of Georgia. She says she particularly enjoys exchanging views and finding out what’s happening in other areas of the industry, stressing the value of communication to the wellbeing of the sector. Veterinary leaders have expressed concern about the lack of young vets coming into the poultry sector specifically at a time of rampant bird flu prevalence, so why does King think others should follow in her footsteps? “Poultry is more herd-health based than it is with individual animals, so if you like research and data collection and looking at the big picture it’s ideal for that,” she explains. “There’s a lot of pathology and post-mortem work, which I think a lot of vets find interesting, and we also do a lot of our own lab work, so you see cases from start to end and you’re responsible for every aspect of the case investigation. With small animals it’s more like seeing the animal for a consult and then everything else gets outsourced. So I like the fact that it’s more hands-on in every aspect. Also, as a small animal vet you see maybe 10 dogs and 10 cats a day and you make a difference to them, but in poultry you make a good decision and implement something on the farm and that can be 500,000 animals that you’ve helped. Your welfare impact is much bigger as a poultry vet, which I find quite satisfying.” From those early days when she decided to go into a poultry veterinary career rather than small animals like many of her fellows, it’s been clear King is someone who is happy to do things her own way. Away from work, she admits she gets “mocked for living in the dark ages because I don’t have a TV,” adding: “It was once joked that I go home and read by candlelight in my off-grid house.” She unwinds by playing the piano, long-distance hiking and tending to vegetables in the garden. The 30-year-old Brighton native says she has to double-take when thinking that she’s the Young Vet of the Year, as much as anything because she forgets that she’s only been in the industry a few years. But such is the all-encompassing nature of the modern poultry business, which has a habit of consuming its participants’ time. King describes the award win as a “massive honour”, adding: “Obviously it’s nice to win and be judged by industry, but the nomination came from my team and my clients so that’s the bit that means the most – that they think I’m doing a good job. And then to actually win it was the icing on the cake.” 26 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

28. FEATURE| |Rodents Rodent control is crucial to AI management Rodenticide resistance is a phenomenon that has been causing increasing issues across the country Switching between two highly palatable rodenticides will ensure they remain an attractive food source Rats can get through gaps of 10mm As winter approaches, now is the time to increase biosecurity and rodent control utumn is upon us and with it an increased risk of avian influenza (AI). Rodents are a well-known source of disease so controlling pests as the weather cools is a crucial part of any farm’s AI control measures. Cold, dry weather allows the virus to thrive, being transmitted from bird to bird through droppings and saliva. There are some simple steps, though, that poultry farmers can take to improve hygiene in their poultry houses and significantly reduce the threat of an avian influenza outbreak in their flock. To protect birds from diseases like avian influenza as well as others, poultry farmers should look to increase levels of hygiene in enclosures, advises BASF’s country business manager, Laurence Barnard. Disinfectants can reduce the spread of diseases dramatically if used carefully and consistently. “A focus on hygiene is one of the simplest and most economical ways to reduce the spread of disease and promote healthy conditions across poultry farms,” he says. To effectively use disinfectant in your poultry houses, Laurence suggests the following approach. Thoroughly disinfect all accommodation. This is best achieved by A pressure washing the sides and floors of bird housing with a quality bactericidal detergent before spraying with a disinfectant. Bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms are often present on clothing and boots. Those working with birds should wear clean overalls and dip boots in disinfectant to reduce the risk of introducing harmful diseases. Before entering poultry housing, it is also good practice to wash hands with an antibacterial soap. Any equipment that is being used in conjunction with birdkeeping should be disinfected in a solution such as BASF’s Sorgene Xtra before being used. Solutions should be changed frequently. Disinfectants such as Sorgene Xtra can be used at 1:250 for general hygiene (1:200 for poultry accommodation areas), and at 1:100 for foot and wheel dips and vehicle spraying. “It breaks down after use and leaves no residue, so no rinsing is necessary, and all buildings and housing can be re-stocked soon after application,” says Barnard. “These simple steps and effective tools will help reduce the spread of viruses like avian influenza to an absolute minimum and prevent farmers suffering substantial financial losses, as well as protect themselves, their friends and family, and their flocks.” THE IMPORTANCE OF TACKLING RODENTS Every farmer knows that controlling rats and mice isn’t as simple as picking the strongest bait off the shelf and leaving it down for rodents to consume. In fact, there is a whole host of factors that should be considered. Before even reaching for a rodenticide, the best practice is to first carry out environmental management such as proofing buildings and tidying the site, and then explore non- chemical control methods, whether it is utilising natural predators, or using instant-kill traps. 28 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

29. But when chemical control is required, many don’t realise that bait rotation is vital to long-term success, says Barnard. “Effective rodent control isn’t just about choosing the right bait. Of course, factors such as speed of control, potency, and palatability are incredibly important, but it is critical to alternate your baits. “The reason for this is two-fold – some of the biggest challenges facing farmers are rodenticide resistance and bait shyness. “Rodenticide resistance is a phenomenon that has been causing increasing issues across the country, particularly in certain areas such as Greater Manchester or South Central England. Much like how humans can become resistant to certain antibiotics, rodents have developed resistance to the active ingredients in first-generation anticoagulants and some second-generation anticoagulants, particularly difenacoum and bromadiolone.” To combat any potential resistance problem, farmers should be utilising rodenticides that contain either cholecalciferol or flocoumafen as the active ingredient, as there is no known resistance to either active. Ideally, usage should be rotated between the two to prevent any possible future resistance from developing. In addition, although more prevalent in mice, rodents can become bored of the rodenticide on offer and search for alternative food sources. Switching between two highly palatable rodenticides will ensure they remain an attractive food source, encouraging rodents to continue feeding. “Of course, the rodenticide used must be highly palatable and potent. However, product stewardship is essential to ensure the future-proofing of effective solutions on the market and safeguard the pest management toolbox,” says Barnard. So, how often should farmers be rotating their baits? It is recommended that rodenticides should be changed every three to four months as best practice, with a minimum of every six months, to ensure a long-term, successful pest management programme. Effective rodent control isn’t just about choosing the right bait TOP TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT The best way to deal with rodents is to prevent them from becoming active in the first place, so farmers should be ‘rodent-proofing’ profits this winter. Particularly at this time of year when temperatures begin to dip, rats and mice will be looking for warm harbourage where food sources are readily available, making buildings where animal feed or crops are stored very appealing. There are a few very simple preventative steps farmers can take to deter the pests: Keep the site clean and tidy. It may seem simple, but keeping sites tidy should become a regular part of any farmer’s maintenance routine. Keep pallets and sacks to a minimum as these make for the perfect harbourage, and remove any rubbish or unwanted stores of straw and hay as soon as possible to give rats and mice less time to move in. Cut back vegetation and bushes around buildings. Rats have a fear of open spaces, so by trimming back shrubbery by at least one metre around all buildings on land, they will be less inclined to cross an open yard to enter a building. This also allows farmers to readily observe any rat burrows, and gives natural predators more chance of spotting the pests. Rodent-proof buildings. Rodents can fit through surprisingly small openings – mice can get through gaps of 6mm and rats can get through gaps of 10mm – so carefully inspect any buildings, stores or outhouses for wear and tear in walls, piping, doors and windows. Use a hardwearing material like metal sheeting to prevent rodents from re-entering through any compromised areas, as rats can chew through everything, from wooden posts to dry walls. Inspect the building for signs of an existing infestation. Visible footprints at ground level or on ledges, smear marks along ledges, walls or cables, damage in structures and equipment from gnaw marks, and droppings are all tell-tale signs of activity. Don’t forget to look at electrical wires and cabling – many farm fires have been caused by rodents chewing through electrical wires. Store animal feed and green safely. Taking measures to prevent animal feed or grain from being contaminated and consumed is an important step. Rats can carry up to 45 dangerous diseases which can pose a serious health and safety issue. Ensure the stores are thoroughly cleaned and inspect every inch for any entry points or damage where rodents may enter and clean up any food spills immediately. Monitor for activity. Using a monitoring paste will help farmers spot rodent activity before an infestation can get out of hand. It also means any rodents in the area will become more familiar with the object, reducing neophobia when the monitoring baits are replaced with rodenticide. An alternative monitoring method is to leave a patch of sand along a suspected rat run overnight and look for paw marks in the sand the next day. POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 29

30. FEATURE| |Poultry Meat Conference Welfare outcomes do not change with stocking density under 38kg. I really question why that is gaining momentum in retail at the moment All pulling in the same direction SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION Tim Burnside, global vice president, welfare and sustainability at Aviagen, was next up. “Sustainable intensification” was his description of how the food industry will have to deal with a growing global population and the pressures on food production from a more volatile climate. He noted poultrymeat is the most consumed meat globally, at roughly 35% of all meat eaten, and as more people in developing countries become middle class, demand for protein will increase further. Burnside said companies like Aviagen were making incremental gains in efficiency through balanced breeding, while the wider poultry industry was growing chickens with less water and feed per kg of product. The ongoing challenge of avian influenza, incoming welfare requirements and the cost of production topped the agenda at the Poultry Meat Conference in Grantham A vian influenza, inflation and bird welfare were all on the agenda at this year’s Poultry Meat Conference, held in Grantham in production metrics, such as slower growing breeds, lower stocking densities, or the Better Chicken Commitment, as a shorthand for better welfare. “Welfare outcomes do not change with stocking density under 38kg,” he said. “I really question why that is gaining momentum in retail at the moment.” He added there were consequences of lower stocking densities, including costs, availability, and other challenges around planning and being competitive against imports. September. David Neilson, Avara’s general manager of chicken agriculture and chair of the conference, opened the event with a focus on avian influenza (AI), and challenged delegates to prepare for a similar scenario this winter. “Are your staff trained? Are you confident you can minimise the risk? No facility is safe,” he added. He described the wider problems facing the industry when units are infected with AI. As well as the ‘devastating’ financial and emotional effect, the zones created around farms following an outbreak make export from those zones impossible. He said in other countries, those zones around infected farms are lifted faster than in the UK. He urged the industry to lobby politicians to have the rules changed “to get on to a level playing field”. NGOS’ INFLUENCE He said the poultry industry must be aware of the deep influence on the industry of NGOs, when it came to setting welfare standards. He noted that animal welfare organisation Eurogroup for Animals is the secretariat for INFLATION This was particularly pertinent given the unprecedented levels of inflation faced by the poultry sector since the invasion of Ukraine. “In an industry that operates with single digit margins, it has been difficult, if not impossible, to absorb,” said Neilson. “As a result we have seen volumes drop, and carcase balance change quite dramatically.” Neilson said that there was now light at the end of the tunnel, with wheat prices down from previous highs. “I think 2024 will be the year we get back on track and get some margin, so we can reinvest,” he said. “It is no good just trying to survive. We need investment to be able to get to net zero. That is what a sustainable business looks like.” WELFARE Nielsen also spoke about the importance of continuous improvement in bird welfare, but asked the audience how to reliably define it. He cautioned against the trend for using 30 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

31. Delegates heard from a range of poultrymeat production experts and industry leaders intergroup of welfare in European parliament, meaning a campaigning group, rather than the industry, is taking a leading role. “Historically, we have been pretty poor on this. We have been defending rather than being proactive,” he said. that specific strains are more pathogenic. While it exists naturally in the birds’ gut, it can cause problems when it leaves the gut and makes its way into blood stream and skeletal system. A focus on hygiene and biosecurity, particularly with water systems were important measures to take, said Warner. Prevention is best aided by promoting gut integrity, and one of the best ways to do this is reduce stress levels, he said. Of Salmonella infantis, Warner said it was considered important because it is a human health risk. “It is hard to get rid of in an environment and is drug resistant,” said Warner. “It drives antibiotic resistance.” Warner said the only successful way it is managed at Avara is to “take the shed out of production, strip down the shed and manually clean every component.” Generally, it gets in via a break in biosecurity, so Warner emphasised the need to stay on top of this. DEFINING WELFARE Burnside said welfare should be defined by how an animal interacts with its environment. “The thing to bear in mind is the perception of the animal is probably different to that of people.” Before any interventions are made, it is important to ask, “does it make a difference to the bird?” he said. He brought up recent NGO publicity campaigns around standard broilers, dubbed ‘Frankenchickens’ by animal rights campaigners. He said there had been some misinformation about breeding, with campaigners stating that broilers are bred for rapid growth. In fact, Burnside said, the “single biggest thing we select for is health and welfare traits, then feed efficiency.” He noted NGOs are very well funded by organisation including Open Philanthropy, a US based organisation funded mainly by Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz, one of the founders of Facebook. Since 2016, they have handed out $110 million to welfare NGOs. It is a north American organisation but 22% of money is targeted in Europe. “As far as they are concerned, not eating meat is a farm animal welfare issue,” said Burnside, who said it was important to understand how well funded some NGOs were. “Breeding should be in balance,” he added. “It is about bringing in multiple traits and trying to make everything better together. In terms of leg health we are seeing improvement year on year.” “The influence of stockmanship by the producers has a significant impact on the welfare outcomes of flocks,” he said. What’s more, the efficiencies that have been gained through breeding over the years, mean today’s broiler is grown with 50% less carbon than broiler of 1970s. If you are going for slower growing birds, it will have an impact on environmental sustainability,” he said. is crucial, but not until the wash has been completed properly, said McStraw. Use a good supplication of detergent, making sure it gets correct contact time, followed by a broad spectrum disinfectant. FARMING MY WAY The final speaker of the conference was Tom Wareham, head of broiler production at EC Drummond, who is in charge of 850,000 broilers per cycle. Wareham said he was not from a farming background, but became involved through shooting. He studied at Harper Adams university in 2010, and met Patrick Hook at an event there and went to work at the Hook business on a scholarship scheme. After working for Cargill and Aviagen, Wareham joined EC Drummond, a mixed farming business specialising in Red Tractor standard chicken and fruit – strawberries, cherries, and apples. Wareham is in charge of 32 chicken farms., and said the the key thing was looking after staff. He said he was in more than 70 WhatsApp staff groups, which was important because “you are relying on your staff to communicate with you”. He said supporting people on the ground was crucial, because it could help with getting the right people into more senior roles in years to come. He explained that of those 32 farms, 18 supply chicken to Avara Foods; five supply Crown Chicken; five supply the wholesale market and the remaining supply Hook2Sisters. Previously, the company grew BCC chicken “and enjoyed it” but the “market changed so we are solely standard now.” The five wholesale farms are all different. The wholesale market is “a very volatile market,” he said, but all are Red Tractor accredited and “we are making money out of them.” Wareham said many of its farms were in the Wye Valley. “We have got fields running right down to the river.” He said the business was taking part in the Avara muck management scheme exporting manure out of county and was doing the same things with its Hook2Sisters farms too. BIOSECURITY Biosecurity was also the topic for Joanne McStraw, of CID Lines. She said there was no magic wand and no secret. “It is about all the routine measures that should be in place every day.” Good biosecurity was the basis of any disease control programme, she said. Good biosecurity meant there was less need for curative measures. Even with the best measures in the world, it is impossible to create a sterile environment. The aim, said McStraw, is to “reduce the infection pressure.” “That allows the chicks’ immunity to kick in. Biosecurity leads to less disease, better animal welfare, better animal health and better public opinion.” She emphasised the need to deep clean drinking lines, asking delegates if they would be happy to drink the water given to birds on their farm. Limiting the number of visitors was also an important control measure, as was a robust rodent control programme. When it comes to carcase disposal, she advised delegates to review whether they were emptying dead bins frequently enough. Disinfection of sheds ANIMAL DISEASE Keith Warner, head of health and welfare at Avara Foods, delivered the next presentation to delegates on two pressing health issues, Enterococcus caecorcum and Salmonella infantis. A serious outbreak of Enterococcus caecorcum can lead to 20% lameness, so it is “pretty demoralising” and is a serious problem for bird welfare. Warner said there was mounting evidence POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 31

33. PRODUCT NEWS| | JCB LAUNCHES NEW TELESCOPIC HANDLER FOR POULTRY PRODUCERS CEVA LAUNCHES PRODUCT TO REDUCE STRESS ON CHICKS Ceva Animal Health has launched a novel solution to ease the stress of day-old chicks in the hatchery, SecureChick. SecureChick contains a synthetic analogue of the mother hen uropygial secretion analogue (MHUSA), a pheromone produced by a hen through the uropygial gland a few days before and after hatching to comfort a chick during its first days. It can be sprayed inside the hatchers over embryonated eggs two to three days before hatching to help day-old chicks to better tolerate stress in the hatchery and enable chicks to adapt to their new environment.  Studies have demonstrated that odour detection is already functional in domestic chickens two days before hatching, with chicks displaying behavioural and physiological responses to specific odours. Dr Sanja Horvat MRCVS, vaccination services manager for poultry at Ceva Animal Health, said: “The complexity and efficiency of commercial hatcheries expose chicks to many potential stressors.  Administration of SecureChick can play a role in helping day- old chicks better tolerate stress and adapt to their new farm environment.  “SecureChick can be administered to help hatcheries produce high welfare chicks, giving the best start in life.” A new three tonne lift capacity compact telescopic handler has been launched by JCB, aimed at the poultry sector. The JCB Loadall 530-60 AGRI Super is sized to match the needs of livestock farms with narrow aisles and passages, and caters for the needs of pig and poultry units in particular with compact dimensions for working inside buildings with restricted height. Power is provided by a 4.8-litre Stage V emissions-compliant JCB DieselMAX engine with peak outputs of 97kW (130hp) and 550Nm of torque, which is combined with a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, delivering a 25% increase in dynamic tractive effort over its predecessor, 527-58 AGRI Plus, a boost to productivity when bulldozing litter from chicken sheds. An overall height of 2m on the 20in tyre option ensures sufficient clearance to work beneath poultry house feeders and drinkers lifted clear for the cleaning-out operation. INTERFOOD BECOMES DISTRIBUTOR FOR HYGIENE EQUIPMENT BRAND certain flock characteristics, the Nuova-i will remember this flock setting with a single tap on the screen. All relevant eviscerator settings will adjust themselves accordingly, Marel said, making shift changeovers easier. New technical innovations will now allow Marel’s evisceration equipment Nuova-I to separate the viscera pack from the poultry carcase efficiently. The company said its developments meant viscera packs will be uniform and compact, resulting in higher yield, cleaner carcases and even higher hygienic operation standards, and as a result, loose-hanging intestines, which risk cross- contamination when they touch one another, will be virtually non- existent. This means uniformity across a broiler flock is less important as different shoulder measurements can be set, and the shackle guide can be adjusted for long and short feet. The Nuova-i machine is software-controlled by a touchscreen with a user-friendly interface, allowing for interaction and communication with the mechanical components of the machine.  Once a recipe setting has proven to be successful for POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 33

34. PRODUCTION DATA| | EU EGG AND POULTRY PRICES AND PRODUCTION STATISTICS EU* MAIN POULTRY PRODUCERS (1,000 TONNES PRODUCT WEIGHT) POULTRY POULTRY POULTRY POULTRY BROILER EU* WEEKLY AVERAGE PRICE EVOLUTION *EU without UK EU*, USA & BRAZIL BROILER PRICES *EU without UK EGGS EGGS EGGS EGGS EGGS *EU without UK *EU without UK Source: Eurostat EU* NUMBER OF LAYING HENS 2022 BY WAY OF KEEPING (MAXIMUM CAPACITY, IN MILLION) BASED ON NOTIFICATIONS UNDER COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/1185 Total not in cage: 215.7 million laying hens = 56.8% Source: MS: Methods of production communicated according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1185 *EU without UK *EU without UK Source: Eurostat 34 POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023

35. PRODUCTION| | MONTHLY POULTRY DATA, PROVIDED BY DEFRA • UK commercial layer chick placings were up 12% at 2.7 million chicks • UK broiler chick placings were up 1.4% at 93.3 million chicks • Turkey chick placings were down 10% at 1.4 million chicks • Turkey slaughterings were up 6.7% at 0.6 million birds • UK broiler slaughterings were up 1.7% at 87.8 million birds • Total UK poultrymeat production was up 1.5% at 154.4 thousand tonnes August 2023 in comparison to August 2022: AVERAGE NUMBER OF BROILER CHICKS PLACED PER WEEK BY UK HATCHERIES AVERAGE NUMBER OF LAYER CHICKS PLACED PER WEEK BY UK HATCHERIES AVERAGE NUMBER OF POULTRY SLAUGHTERED PER WEEK IN THE UK (a) Includes spent hens and spent breeders AVERAGE LIVEWEIGHTS PER BIRD AT POINT OF SLAUGHTER IN ENGLAND & WALES (KG) (b) The average turkey weight has been suppressed due to a low survey response rate. VOLUME OF POULTRY MEAT PRODUCED PER MONTH IN THE UK (THOUSAND TONNES CARCASE WEIGHT)(A) (a) Converted to whole bird equivalent carcase weight, net of offal (b) Excludes other poultry types, e.g. geese (c) The volume of turkey and duck meat produced has been suppressed due to a low survey response rate. POULTRY BUSINESS| | OCTOBER 2023 35