March 26, 2014

British Poultry Council urges candidates to be poultry industry's growth facilitator

Prior to the European Parliamentary elections on May 22, 2014, the British Poultry Council has called on all candidates to see themselves as facilitators of growth in the UK poultry market.

In 2012, the EU-27 produced 12.9 million tonnes of poultry meat, employed an estimated 303,000 people and had a production value of €32 billion (US$44 billion).

In terms of EU production of poultry meat, the UK market is second only to France. The British Poultry Council calls on all candidates to take forward 12 priorities over four key themes into the next parliamentary term.

In food quality, consumer confidence will be safeguarded in food quality by defending hygiene standards, undertake microbiological inspections and ensure better labelling.

For sustainable production, to become a champion for intensive poultry production, support its development and promote genetically modified technology and the responsible use of feed.

Continue to lead on promoting animal welfare in other countries, implement risk based regulation and support self-regulation for compliant companies.

It will support market access to enable exports of poultry meat, review and where possible reduce the cost of regulation on the industry and insist that foreign imports meet the standards set by EU products.