The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) will meet with members across the country to discuss solutions to the ongoing crisis in the sector.
Various topics, including contract reform, production cost data and avian influenza, will be covered throughout the roadshow, which will run from January to March.
“The turmoil experienced by the free-range egg industry last year highlighted how important robust contracts and access to accurate data really are,” said BFREPA CEO Robert 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.
“We will be sharing our data and asking for feedback on how it can be improved to help farmers understand the risks and rewards.”
BFREPA costings, complied by ADAS, are increasingly being used by the government, retailers and packers to monitor the supply chain and develop improved 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.
“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.”
The meetings will also look at bird flu and over-stickering. All egg producers will be welcome, even those who are not members of the BFREPA.
“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,” said Mr Gooch.
Meetings will take place in Diss, Ardingly, Exeter, Shrewsbury, Lincoln, Milnthorpe, Darlington, Llandindrod Wells, Lauder and Inverurie, with Northern Ireland dates to be announced shortly.
For more information and to book your place, go to www.bfrepa.co.uk
