Memorandum from Brandons Growers Association
(X14)
Evidence on the state of poultry farming in
this country has never been clearer with the UK's second largest
turkey business, Brandons plc, being placed in administrative
receivership last month. One of its processing plants at Dalton,
in North Yorkshire has already been closed. The company has suffered
in the last 12 months from over-supply in the market caused by
a high level of imports with consequent deterioration in prices.
The rising flow of cheap poultry imports is putting some 40,000
jobs in the UK poultry industry at risk.
I am secretary to a private grower base of 31
turkey farmers, all owning their own sites, currently growing
for the Receivers of Brandons plc. The Receivers are continuing
to run the business profitably and are looking to sell the business
as a going concern. To keep British Turkey on consumer tables
the increasing flow of cheap imports and the overall state of
British poultry farming needs to be addressed urgently.
Brandons Growers Association
April 2003
| 
