NFU Council: Poultry update
Will Raw
NFU Poultry Board Chair
NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw updates members on work to protect confidence in British egg production, influence the future of welfare assurance and help the poultry sector prepare for the continuing threat of avian influenza.
As highlighted through the ongoing work in this update, NFU policy develops over time.
From addressing immediate concerns to gathering evidence, influencing decisions and helping to shape longer-term change.
Protecting confidence in British eggs
Council members heard about the NFU’s response to salmonella cases linked to imported eggs.
In August 2026, the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) and FSA (Food Standards Agency) began investigating an outbreak of salmonella in the UK linked to imported eggs.
In October, the FSA issued a Food Alert for Action calling on businesses to withdraw and recall eggs associated with one Ukrainian food business.
Following these developments, the NFU engaged with regulators, government and the wider egg industry.
A central priority was ensuring that communications clearly distinguished that the eggs linked to the salmonella cases were imported products and not eggs produced in the UK.
I emphasised the importance of protecting consumer confidence and recognising the investment British egg producers make in food safety, traceability and high production standards.
The incident underlined the need for robust import controls, effective surveillance and clear information that enables consumers to understand where their food has come from.
“The NFU will continue representing poultry producers in immediate disease control discussions while also working towards a more resilient long-term approach for the sector.”
NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw
Welfare assurance in the egg sector
Council members were then updated on the next stage of work to consider the future of welfare assurance in the egg sector.
The NFU first raised concerns with RSPCA Assured in November 2023 after standards were published without adequate consultation and relevant supporting science and evidence.
The ESWAR (Egg Sector Welfare Assurance Review) was subsequently established in December 2025, bringing the sector together to examine how welfare assurance could operate in the future.
An independent FAI report, incorporating retailer feedback, was published in April 2026 and the ESWAR recommendations were agreed and actioned since then. The egg sector is now discussing the next steps.
The NFU remains actively involved to make sure producers have a meaningful voice in those discussions.
The sector supports high welfare standards and credible assurance. However, future requirements must be evidence-based, developed through proper consultation and practical for farmers to implement.
Preparing for avian influenza
Finally, Council members also received the latest update on avian influenza and the work taking place to improve the sector’s resilience.
The new avian influenza season began on 1 October 2026 and at the time of the update two cases had been confirmed in poultry and ten positive findings had been recorded in wild birds in Great Britain.
These early findings reinforce the need for all poultry keepers to remain vigilant and maintain stringent biosecurity.
An NFU disease resilience working group is currently looking at how to best support a longer-term and more strategic consideration of how all livestock sectors can prepare for and respond to future disease pressures.
The AI Vaccination Taskforce report, which is expected to be published in December, was also discussed. The report will be an important milestone in the consideration of vaccination as a possible additional disease-control tool.
The NFU will assess its conclusions carefully, including the implications for disease surveillance, trade, practical delivery and cost.
Practical support for poultry producers
Members were reminded that the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Biosecurity Review is open to eligible layer, broiler, breeder, turkey, duck and geese producers.
Poultry keepers were also encouraged to use the NFU’s online avian influenza and biosecurity resources and to sign up for APHA disease alerts.
The NFU will continue representing poultry producers in immediate disease control discussions while also working towards a more resilient long-term approach for the sector.
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