Representation

 

BFREPA represents free range and organic producers’ interests with Government departments or agencies, non-governmental organisations, and industry bodies. Some of this representation is delivered through planned, regular meetings throughout the year, while at other times it is on an ad-hoc basis, as and when required. 
 
BFREPA has regular meetings with Defra and its agencies to discuss hen welfare, egg labelling, egg marketing regulations, hen disease, COVID and trade issues in addition to the following standing committees:
 

Government committees

  • Defra Avian Influenza Core Group
  • Defra Avian Influenza Communications Group
  • Defra Welfare (Payment by results) Stakeholder Group
  • Trade and Agriculture Commission Stakeholder Group
  • Scottish Avian Influenza Stakeholder Group
  • Scottish Avian Influenza Bird Table
  • Food Standards Agency Salmonella Committee
 

Non-Governmental Organisations

BFREPA represents producer interests to the RSPCA Farm Animal Welfare team and to RSPCA Assured (Freedom Food). It also meets with Compassion in World Farming when it reviews its cage-free standards.
 

Industry bodies

BFREPA has a good relationship with all industry stakeholders including packers, retailers, and other trade bodies, such as Laid in Britain. BFREPA attends regular meetings held throughout the year with:
  • British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) – the umbrella organisation for the UK egg industry, including packers, hatcheries, pullet rearers and other producer groups., and the Lion Egg Quality scheme. The BFREPA Chairman is BEIC Vice-Chairman.
  • Lion Technical Committee – BFREPA sits on this BEIC committee which discusses revisions to the Lion standards
  • NFU Poultry Board – BFREPA is a co-opted member of the Board and the NFU Chief Poultry Advisor is a co-opted member of the BFREPA Council
  • NFU Scotland Poultry Committee – attended by the BFREPA Chairman
  • Laying Hen Welfare Forum – a committee made up of Government, RSPCA, welfare scientists and industry specialists and representatives to discuss reducing injurious pecking and the need for infra-red beak treatment
  • Poultry Health and Welfare Group – a committee made up of Government and industry representatives to discuss ongoing disease and welfare issues across all poultry species
  • British Egg Association – a committee of producers across all production systems to discuss ongoing issues
  • British Egg Academy – an industry stakeholder group steering a specific egg producer course at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire