NFU Scotland calls for UK Government to extend supply chain investigations to poultry meat
The UK Government should extend its examination of food supply chains to poultry meat as the threat of empty shelves increases.
That was the message from NFU Scotland’s Poultry Working Group as it highlighted the ‘severe lack of profitability’ in producing chicken.
There has been a sharp reduction in the number of birds being reared in the UK, with the union stating retailers were resisting paying a fair price for chicken.
Poultry Working Group chair Robert Thompson said: “While the UK Government has already announced an investigation into eggs, where failure of the retailers to pay a fair price saw production fall and empty shelves appear, a similar investigation is urgently required for poultry meat as a similar picture is rapidly emerging.
“So far Scotland has not cut back on the numbers of birds being reared but at a UK level, numbers are significantly down. Some units in England are sitting empty and with the growing market uncertainty, some are moving processors to try and get a better deal.
“That must be a huge concern to the UK Government as chicken is a success story for the UK. Poultry meat is still one of the cheapest sources of protein, versatile and nutritious and is incredibly popular.
“Our growing standards are the highest in Europe. Growers have had to be extremely efficient and adopt all new technology available.
by Alex Black | Farmers Guardian
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