All posts in Media Release

May 5, 2013

Industry efficiency sees poultry prices rise by an average of just 1.5% a year – half the average of other foods.

Over the last two decades poultry prices have risen at the slowest rate of 35 different food categories, and have increased at only half their average rate,new analysis by the British Poultry Council (BPC) shows.

To mark the retirement of Chief Executive Peter Bradnock, who has spent 20 years in the poultry industry, the BPC looked at the impact of inflation across a range of different areas. Since April 1993, poultry prices have risen by 30.9%, an average annual increase of only 1.5%. This is well below the retail price index which has gone up by 76.9% over the last two decades.

Poultry has the lowest rate of increase across 35 different food categories, which increased by an average of 68.1% over the same period. Since April 1993, lamb prices have risen by 108.7%, fish by 96.1%, pork by 95.3% and beef has increased by 50.8%.

Rates of inflation are even higher outside the food sector, withrecent research by Shelter revealing that if food costs had risen in line with house prices since 1971^, a roast chicken would currently have a £51 price tag. However in April 2013the average price of a chicken purchased at a supermarket is £4.59, which makes it an affordable source of healthy meatfor consumers.

Poultry price increases have been mitigated by the level of consolidation within the industry. In 1993, over 20 companies contributed 90% of poultry production in the UK, down to 5 companies in 2013. At the same time production levels havegone up by 25%. In recent years, frozen poultry productionhas fallen from 50% of total sales to 15%. The quantity ofchicken consumed, as a percentage of all meat in the UK, has increased from 34% to 44% over this period. 49% of all meat now consumed in the UK is from the poultry sector.

Peter Bradnock, BPC’s Chief Executive, commented:“Over the past twenty years in my role I have seen the poultry meat sector change dramatically. It is a dynamic and fast-paced modern food industry committed to improvingefficiency throughout the production process. In 2013, chicken remains the best value healthy meat for families in the UK. I am confident that the industry will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Peter Bradnock will retire from the British Poultry Council in May 2013 and will be replaced by Andrew Large.

Price increases across different food areas

The data comes from Timetric, a “leading provider of online data, analysis and advisory services on key financial and industry sectors”. With a base of 100 for January 1987, their data shows the retail price index changes across 35 different product areas:

• The RPI increase in poultry is 30.86% between April 1993 (109.2) and March 2013 (142.9).
• The RPI increase in lamb is 108.7% between April 1993 (138.9) and March 2013 (289.9).
• The RPI increase in pork is 95.3% between April 1993 (123.8) and March 2013 (241.8).
• The RPI increase in fish is 96.1% between April 1993 (124.2) and March 2013 (243.5).
• The RPI increase in ‘total foods’ is 68.1% between April 1993 (130.8) and March 2013 (219.9).

With a base of 100 for January 1987, ONS data shows that RPI has increased by 76.9% between April 1993 (140.6) and March 2013 (248.7).

March 14, 2013 

The British Poultry Council (BPC), Morrisons and a cross party group of MPs delivered a petition of over 50,000 signatures to the Treasury on Wednesday 13 March. 

The petition, which secured strong support between 10 September and 28 October 2012, has been delivered a week before the Budget to express concern at how widely this tax on rotisserie chicken was felt amongst consumers, food producers and farmers alike. The British Poultry Council and Morrisons are urging the Chancellor to remember British poultry producers and retailers in next week’s Budget Speech.

In last year’s Budget on 21 March 2012, the Chancellor announced that VAT would be introduced on rotisserie chicken from 1 October 2012. In September 2012, Morrisons and the British Poultry Council together launched the ‘Don’t Tax Our Roast’ campaign in protest of the tax.

The industry states that the price increase has led to a fall in sales of approximately 18% with the Treasury pocketing approximately £13.35 million in VAT since the tax was introduced. Both BPC and Morrisons have questioned the real benefit of the revenue to the Treasury, delivered at the expense of hard-pressed consumers and poultry producers across the UK.

Reflecting the concerns, Nic Dakin, Labour MP for Scunthorpe said:

“I visited a poultry processing facility in my constituency last week and I was very impressed with efficiency of the poultry production process. It is a great shame that the Chancellor decided to penalise the industry by introducing a tax on a healthy staple food that forms an essential part of the British diet. I fully support the efforts of The British Poultry Council and Morrisons in their campaign for a fairer deal.”

Roger Williams, farmer and Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:

“The “Don’t Task Our Roast” campaign supports British farmers and producers like those in my constituency who are competing in a challenging market. This campaign received thousands of signatures in just a few weeks. Delivering this petition today sends a clear message to the Chancellor that consumers are backing British producers and want to see him do the same.”

Neil Parish, Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton & Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Pigs & Poultry, said:

“The British poultry industry is doing great work across the country and it is critical that the Government supports British farmers, producers and customers. This tax has put further pressure on customers who are already struggling to pay for their weekly shop and further pressure on one of the UK’s most impressive food manufacturing industries.”

Guy Mason, Head of Corporate Affairs at Morrisons said:

“The fact that over 50,000 people felt compelled to sign our petition shows the strength of feeling among our customers about this unfair tax on a staple British meal. We are urging the Government to take notice of the British public’s opposition to this move.”

Caroline Leroux, Head of External Relations at the British Poultry Council said:

“The poultry industry has felt the acute effects of the tax, although it is consumers who are really feeling the pinch in difficult economic times. This added VAT on rotisserie chicken hasn’t provided a huge benefit to the Treasury but the effects have been felt nationwide as sales have plummeted by approximately 18% since the VAT was introduced.

“It’s encouraging for British producers to see that so many people came forward to support the campaign in such a short period of time and we remind the Chancellor not to forget that support in next week’s Budget.”

March 13, 2013

Figures from the British Poultry Council have revealed that demand for poultry apprenticeships is on the rise with up to 20 applicants applying for each advertised apprenticeship position.

The rise in demand for apprenticeships has been announced to coincide with the launch of the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week which takes place from 11-15 March 2013. It is supported by manufacturing industries across the UK, including the British Poultry industry.

Welcoming National Apprenticeship Week, Peter Bradnock, Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council, commented:

“National Apprenticeship Week pays tribute to sectors such as the poultry industry which is investing in talented young people.

“To see such a high level of demand for apprenticeships in the industry is a real indication of the value of a career in poultry production and food manufacturing. There are a huge number of opportunities available to become an apprentice in the poultry industry, on farms, in hatcheries or in processing plants.  We’re delighted that so many young people are considering this highly rewarding career.”

David Way, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:

“I regularly speak to employers who tell me about the benefits that Apprenticeships bring to their business. This provides further hard evidence that Apprenticeships really are improving business and transforming lives. 

“Apprentices not only increase productivity but also bring creativity and dynamism into the workplace; the very best examples of which are being showcased in this year’s National Apprenticeship Week.”

Nathan Raines, Academy Manager at Poultec Training Ltd, who provide Apprenticeships for the Poultry industry as well as a range of other sectors, commented:

“We have seen a clear upward trend across the board in demand for apprenticeships this year, particularly in the poultry industry, which is highly competitive. This is very encouraging considering agricultural apprenticeships have traditionally been hard to fill.

“The industry is well paid, it attracts people who like to work with animals and is crying out for qualified and enthusiastic young people.”

Why a Poultry Apprenticeship?

• Currently 250 apprentices on programme
• Apprentices receive both training and assessment on the farm
• Vocational framework for qualifications: apprentices achieve a work-based diploma in Agriculture and choose optional units to tailor the apprenticeship to the job role e.g.: Managing livestock; biosecurity; egg collecting and breeding (amongst others)

Why should you be a Poultry Apprentice?

• It’s a rewarding  job
• Salary is very good – it’s not unheard of for Farm Managers to be earning upwards of £30,000 a year
• Apprentices post 16 are paid £143.52 per week, £194.22 per week post 18 and £241.41 at age 21+*
• Agricultural jobs are always paid higher than the normal minimum wage by law
• Excellent career progression – the industry is crying out for qualified people
• The job often comes with the perks of a house and/or company car to help you
• Start dates are flexible to meet both the learner and employers needs
• All apprenticeships are a minimum of 12 months in duration.

*[see www.gov.uk/agricultural-workers-rights/pay-and-overtime]

 What do you need to be a Poultry Apprentice?

• You need to be someone who enjoys working with animals
• You need to be interested in the outdoors and the environment
• You need to be a flexible worker – animals need looking after all the time, not just 9am-5pm so you should be open to working some unsociable hours

 How can you apply for an Apprenticeship?

• Via the employer directly
• Via the National Apprenticeship Service
• Via Poultec

March 10, 2013

New figures from the British Poultry Council show that sales of rotisserie chicken have been seriously affected by the government’s introduction of VAT on hot foodstuffs from 1 October 2012.

Before this date approximately 40 million rotisserie chickens were sold a year in the UK. In the 23 weeks since the VAT rise came into force sales have fallen by around 18%, with 3.2 million fewer chickens being sold over the period.

The introduction of the 20% tax led to the average price of a hot large plain chicken going from £4.65 to £5.55 – an increase of around 90 pence. It has resulted in supermarkets selling approximately 138,000 fewer rotisserie chickens every week, or around 7.2 million fewer a year. The Treasury has earned approximately £13.35 million on sales across this period.

Peter Bradnock, Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council, commented: “In a market where virtually all chickens sold are British, this is clearly having a detrimental effect on our farmers. We know that 70% of rotisserie customers actually consume their purchase cold, so this is unfairly penalising them. This ‘hot VAT’ isn’t raising huge sums for the Treasury but is having a major impact on hard-pressed families and British producers across the country.”

Morrisons, who have been selling whole birds both hot and cooled since the tax rise came into force, have also noted a decline in sales.

Jamie Winter, Fresh Food Director at Morrisons, said: “We urged the Government to reconsider this unfair tax on customers, who don’t even eat rotisserie chicken as a takeaway item, before it was even introduced in the budget back in March of last year. Not only does it cost shoppers more at a time when finances are already tight, there is clear evidence that the tax is also hurting British farmers. The Government should support farmers and consumers by reversing this decision once and for all.”

The March 2012 budget introduced proposals to add VAT to all produce that is sold hot, classifying it as a take-away food. To address similar anomalies created by the tax, the Treasury’s initial proposals were revised to allow hot food left on the shelf to cool down to have a 0% VAT rate.

Impact of VAT on rotisserie chicken since 1 October 2012

Prior to the introduction of VAT, around 40 million rotisserie chickens were sold a year (around 770,000 a week). The price increase of 20% has led to a fall in sales of approximately 18%. This means that over the 23 weeks between 1 October and 3 March 2013 sales were around 14.5 million, when on earlier sales projections they would have been almost 17.7 million (a fall of around 3.2 million birds).

With the average cost of a rotisserie chicken being £5.50 after 1 October 2012, this means the Treasury has received approximately £13.35 million in VAT over the last five months (92p x 14.5 million).

Don’t tax our roast

The Chancellor announced a VAT on rotisserie chicken on 1 October 2012 as announced in the 2012 Budget on 21 March. In 2012 a number of campaigns arose to protest against the VAT rise, including a joint campaign led by Morrisons (www.donttaxourroast.co.uk). The campaign received around 50,000 signatures between 10 September and 28 October 2012.

February 14, 2013

The British Poultry Council has handed out 15 scholarships to scholars at Harper Adams University.

The recipients received their awards during the university’s annual Development Trust Scholarship Presentation, which has held yesterday in the Queen Mother Hall on campus.

During the day, a total of 99 awards were presented to students totalling £225,000.

Before the official presentation, all recipients of British Poultry Council scholarships, who will receive two payments of £3,500 over two academic years, met with their sponsors at a lunchtime reception in the university’s Regional Food Academy.

The British Poultry Council is aiming to encourage more young adults into the Poultry sector and as such offered the scholarships to second year degree students and first year FdSc students studying agriculture and food production. A condition of the scholarship is that the recipient must undertake their placement year with the awarding firm.

John Reed, Chairman of the British Poultry Council said:

“I’m delighted to be here today with our young scholars. The British poultry industry is committed to investing in people; we want to recruit and train the new generation of poultry people and I’m confident many scholars will develop a successful career in poultry. Our on-going collaboration with Harper Adams University will help foster skills and talents and ensure a bright future for the industry.”

One of the recipients was Samantha Glew, from Nottingham, who is studying BSc/BSc Honours Bioveterinary Science and was awarded a British Poultry Council Scholarship from Aviagen. The 20-year-old said:

“I would to thank Aviagen Ltd for the opportunity that I have been given to work with them for my placement year. I am extremely excited about the potential to work abroad, explore the company and expand my knowledge and experience to an extent I hadn’t imagined I would be doing so during placement.”

Matthew Morrow, from Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, is studying an FdSc in Agriculture and was awarded a British Poultry Scholarship by Bernard Matthews Foods. The 18-year-old said:

“I am delighted to gain a scholarship with Bernard Matthews. This has allowed me the opportunity to gain experience in a modern and progressive company in an industry that is constantly developing. The scholarship funds have reduced financial stress and will allow me to concentrate more on my course and develop the skills for a successful career in the Poultry industry.”

British Poultry Council Scholarships were presented as follows:

Aviagen
Samantha Glew – BSc/BSc Honours Bioveterinary Science
Hannah Battersby – BSc/BSc Honours Bioveterinary Science

Bernard Matthews Foods
Henry Goodman – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture
Matthew Morrow – FdSc Agriculture

Cargill Meats Europe
Kenna Murdoch – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture with Marketing
Charlotte Morris – BSc/BSc Honours Agri-food Marketing with Business Studies

Cranberry Foods
Edward Bufton – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture with Farm Business Management
Christian White – FdSc Agriculture

Faccenda
Michelle Evans – BSc/BSc Honours Food Nutrition and Well-being
Eleanor Kane – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture with Animal Science

Gressingham Foods
Stephanie Charlton – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture with Animal Science
Alys Davies – BSc/BSc Honours Food Nutrition and Well-being
Sarah Hardman – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture

Moy Park
Amy Sharpe – BSc/BSc Honours Agriculture

P D Hook
Thomas Wareham – FdSc Agriculture (Extended)

January 24, 2013

BPC Chief Executive Peter Bradnock announced he would retire this summer after more than 20 years with the British poultry industry.

BPC BOCM PAULS Person of the Year Peter Bradnock and BPC Chairman John Reed

Mr Bradnock joined BPC in 1991 from a New Zealand civil service background specialising in international and EU agricultural trade policy with postings in Brussels and Rome.

BPC Chairman John Reed said:

“Peter’s expertise and dedication made him an outstanding ambassador for British poultry. Under his leadership, the British Poultry Council made its positions front-and-centre at all times and became a strong partner for ministers, government agencies and the agri-food industry. In addition to his unique contributions to the British industry, he was also instrumental to international poultry bodies at European and global level. The poultry sector is very grateful for his years of service.”

The position will be filled by Mr Andrew Large from the Cleaning and Support Services Association.

Andrew Large is expected to join BPC in the summer.

Mr Large’s background includes spells in the civil service (in London and Brussels), industry, Corus and BOC Group and Trade Bodies, Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

John Reed said:

“I’m very pleased to welcome Andrew to the British poultry industry. With his wide experience he has a lot to bring to the benefit to the BPC.”

Mr Large is expected to join BPC this summer.

January, 23, 2013

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech on Europe, BPC Chairman John Reed said:

“The British poultry industry welcomes the Prime Minister’s focus on forging a new deal which serves UK interests – prioritising competitiveness, jobs and growth. Although poultry producers do not receive subsidies, Brussels has a major impact on our industry. The effects that common standards, tariffs, trade rules and other regulations, including CAP reform, have on food manufacturers should be considered in any evaluation of the UK-EU relationship.

“As the Commission reported last week, the European poultry meat market is expected to continue to grow over the next decade, while still coping with high feed prices. In any event UK poultry producers are counting on a strong UK-EU relationship to support crucial sectors like ours.”

January 10, 2013

The British Poultry Council welcomed yesterday’s debate in Parliament on the use of antibiotics in farming.

BPC Chief Executive Peter Bradnock said:

“It is good to see Parliament starting to discuss such an important and complex issue. We are pleased that the Minister has publicly recognised and welcomed the industry’s voluntary ban on the use of cephalosporins in poultry production and the action on fluoroquinolones in day-old chicks.

“As reflected in the 2011 VMD report on antibiotics sales, antibiotic use on poultry farms is decreasing. As an active member of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance, the British poultry industry promotes responsible use of antibiotics for poultry according to strict veterinary assessment. Read more

December 14, 2012

Today’s Daily Mail piece “The truth about free-range turkeys will put you off your Christmas dinner” about the rearing of turkeys in the UK is both disappointing and inaccurate.

To ensure a proper understanding of the industry, we have stated below important clarifications regarding the article.

Read more