GLENRATH FARMS has said its programme of replacing enriched colony bird places with barn is costing the company £25/bird.

In its latest financial results, the Peeblesshire-headquartered farm business added that floor eggs were a problem in the converted units, with the investment necessary because “colony production will cease in the UK (and Europe) by 2025 or earlier”.

The remark was made in the chairman’s report, written by Sir John Campbell. He also says smaller egg packing businesses selling to retailers continued to create competition in the marketplace.

Operating profits for the year ended 31 May 2018 were down 18% at the group, to £5.15m, but Sir John said: “Despite the reduction, I do feel given the present economic climate and market circumstances this is a very good result.”

“We claim to be perhaps one of the most successful egg production and packing companies in the UK. Over 80% of our egg sales are produced in-house, the rest are produced by our loyal contracted suppliers.”