EUROPEAN and UK authorities have warned of high levels of avian influenza in wild gulls. The European Food Safety Authority’s (Efsa) latest outbreak assessment says that black-headed gulls, which breed inland, could increase the risk for poultry in July-August. See...
RSPCA launches new Better Chicken Campaign push
THE RSPCA is launching a fresh campaign calling for retailers to move to Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) compliant poultry. It follows a High Court legal challenge which was dismissed last month, which challenged the welfare of conventional breeds of poultry. See...
Northern Ireland lifts its Avian Influenza Prevention Zone
THE Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in force across Northern Ireland was lifted at 00:01 on Friday, 02 June. While lifting the AIPZ will be a welcome development for farmers in Northern Ireland, it remains in place for producers in Great Britain. See also:...
Expansion with new Shrewsbury practice for Avivets
SPECIALIST poultry veterinarian Avivets has expanded with a new recruit and a third branch in Shrewsbury. Beth Sales joined the practice to help service the firm's client base across Cheshire and North Wales and to facilitate the opening of the new branch practice in...
How regulated salmonella testing takes place on broiler farms
Looking at broilers with Salmonella typhimurium or Salmonella enteritidis, a producer or even a vet for that matter, would not necessarily know they had it, writes Marianne Curtis. Poultry Health Services vet Elliott Boyd says that sometimes they show lethargy or poor...
Biosecurity Experts Livetec Systems Launch National Outbreak Plan for Farmers and Backyard Bird Keepers
Preparedness protects poultry. As Britain’s farmers count the cost of the worst season of avian influenza yet, Livetec Systems – the industry leader for livestock protection and biosecurity - has launched their National Outbreak Plan to help poultry farmers understand...
High Court dismisses legal challenge over broiler welfare
THE High Court has dismissed a legal challenge to using conventional broiler breeds on welfare grounds. Charity The Humane League brought the action against Defra, primarily arguing that the breeds of broilers predominantly used in the UK are genetically bred to grow...
Gary Ford named next British Egg Industry Council chief executive, Mark Williams to become chairman
THE British Egg Industry Council has announced it will appoint Gary Ford as its new chief executive, with incumbent Mark Williams moving to the chairman's role. Current chairman Andrew Joret will retire after 11 years at the helm. See also: Tentative recovery of UK...
Tentative recovery of UK laying hen flock continues
THE coming month should see a further rise in egg production as more birds come into lay arising from the recovery in pullet placings since November. Over the coming month, the number of birds in their first year of lay is likely to increase by around 400,000, to 32.5...
Co-op to cut broiler stocking densities following AGM
THE Co-op has said it will cut broiler stocking densities from the second half of 2024. The retailer made the announcement as a motion to introduce the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) garnered significant support at its AGM. See also: Broiler placings continue to drop...
Avara Foods proposes closure of Abergavenny site
AVARA FOODS has proposed the closure of its Abergavenny site in the Autumn, putting up to 400 roles at risk of redundancy. The processing facility was part of the acquisition of Cranberry Foods by Facccenda Foods in 2012 and is a 'cut and pack' operation predominantly...
Broiler placings continue to drop
THE downward trend in broiler production became steeper last month, with no sign yet of a return to confidence by the industry. Chick numbers in April recorded their second-biggest monthly decline throughout the past 12 months. See also: Poultry ration prices drop...