Poultry sector growth held back by planning constraints

The UK poultry sector is likely to be come increasingly reliant on imports if tough UK planning restrictions continue to block grower base expansion, visitors to this week’s British Pig and Poultry Fair in Birmingham were warned.

Major meat processor Pilgrim’s estimates that demand for poultrymeat has grown by 4%-6% in recent years, with the UK roughly 85% self-sufficient for primary chicken, and about 60% self-sufficient for all chicken consumed.

See also: Advice on protecting flocks from Newcastle disease virus

Justin Coleman, poultry business unit director at Pilgrim’s Europe, said: “We have a natural underlying demand for our product that keeps growing, and the sector has innovated hugely.

“But it does feel like we’re coming to a crossroads in terms of what our next steps are going to be, to continue to meet that demand and not offshore it.”

He added that an industry-wide move towards lower stocking density of 30kg/sq m, while positive for animal welfare, had led to about 20% of the available shed space being lost, tightening the market significantly.

Claire Wright, finance director at Yorkshire-based Soanes Poultry, said the main challenge for her business was that when the factory wanted more birds, they needed to either get planning permission to put extra sheds up, or find contractors to grow for them.

“Because of the reduction in stocking density, everybody’s wanting to get growers for them, and there aren’t farms available for us to buy either,” said Ms Wright.

“So, if I can’t buy, there’s a limit of contractors to be able to come to us, then you’re back to planning.”

Race for builders

Ms Wright added that the process of getting planning was getting worse, and even if planning is approved, producers are then in a race to try to get a builder as they are booked up so far in advance.

Along with issues securing planning for new poultry sheds, Mr Coleman said the many producers had faced issues for just trying to upgrade ventilation, windows and drinkers in older poultry units.

“Just improving the biological efficiency of a poultry shed would be blocked from a planning standpoint,” he said.

Mr Coleman called for an aligned food strategy, covering food safety, security and resilience.

Relevant government departments, Mr Coleman added, should ease the planning process and ensure the UK doesn’t move production to Europe or other parts of the world.