THE British Free Range Egg Producers’ Association (BFREPA) is to host a series of meetings across the UK to discuss challenges such as avian influenza, egg prices and production costs.
Contract reform, production cost data, and avian influenza will be the main topics tackled at the meetings, which take place from January to March.
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Bfrepa chief executive Robert Gooch said the meetings aim to bring the industry closer together in a bid to find ways in which the “dire situation farmers are facing” could be overcome.
“The turmoil experienced by the free-range egg industry last year highlighted how important robust contracts and access to accurate data really are,” said Mr Gooch.
“An understanding of the costs of production is more essential than ever before and should be the basis upon which new agreements with packers should be signed.
Risks and rewards
“We will be sharing our data and asking for feedback on how it can be improved to help farmers understand the risks and rewards.”
The BFREPA costings, compiled independently by ADAS, are increasingly being used by government, retailers and packers in monitoring the egg supply chain and in developing improved egg supply agreements.
“ADAS will present how it calculates these monthly figures and debate with members how they can be improved,” said Mr Gooch.
“Additionally, I will update members on Defra’s informal review of contracts in the egg supply chain and recent progress on improving producer contracts.
Egg supply agreements
“With the launch of a ‘bed and breakfast’ contract from one packer and more looking at cost of production contracts, BFREPA would like to hear from members on their preferred types of egg supply agreements.”
Information on bird flu and over-stickering will also be presented and discussed at the meetings, where all egg producers will be welcome.
“Those egg producers who aren’t BFREPA members can find out more about the organisation, and why they should consider joining – as an organisation, more members means an even stronger force for lobbying and industry support in the future,” added Mr Gooch.
Meeting dates and venues
All meetings start at 6 pm with tea/coffee and sandwiches provided.
Region: East Anglia
Date: 26 January
Time: 6 pm
Chair: Trevor Sellers
Venue: Park Hotel, 29 Denmark Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4LE
Tel: 01379 642244
Registration Link: Click here
Region: South East
Date: 1 February
Time: 6 pm
Chair: Martin Humphrey
Venue: South of England Event Centre, Selsfield Rd, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TL
Tel: 01444 892 048
Registration Link: Click here
Region: South West
Date: 2 February
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Exeter Golf and Country Club, Countess Wear, Exeter, EX2 7AE
Tel: 01392 873328
Registration Link: Click here
Region: West Midlands
Date: 7 February
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Albright Hussey Manor Hotel,. Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF
Tel: 01939 290571
Registration Link: Click here
Region: East Midlands
Date: 16 February
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Best Western Plus Bentley Hotel, Newark Rd, South Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9NH
Registration Link: Click here
Region: North West
Date: 22 February
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Westmoreland Showground, Lane Farm, Milnthorpe, LA7 7NH
Tel: 015395 67804
Registration Link: Click here
Region: North East
Date: 23 February
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Scotch Corner Hotel, Darlington, Richmond, DL10 6NR
Tel: 01748 850900
Registration Link: Click here
Region: Wales
Date: 2 March
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Metropole, Llandindrod Wells, Ld1 5DY
Tel: 01597 828 539
Registration Link: Click here
Region: Scotland (south)
Date: 8 March
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: The Lodge at Carfraemill, Lauder, TD2 6RA
Tel: 01578 750750
Registration Link: Click here
Region: Scotland (north)
Date: 9 March
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, AB51 5XZ
Tel: 01467 623867
Registration Link: Click here
Region: N Ireland
Date: 15 March
Time: 6 pm
Chair: James Baxter
Venue: TBC
Registration Link: Click here
