Politicians, research scientists and British poultry farmers who gathered in the House of Commons on Tuesday 4th December were joined by Jonathan Shaw MP, Junior Minister at DEFRA, to recognize distinguished service and scholarship in the poultry sector.

The Award Winners with Jonathan Shaw MP and BPC Chairman Ted Wright
Photograph courtesy of Poultry World

The BPC’s Chairman, Ted Wright, and Jonathan Shaw both spoke about the challenges the industry had weathered in the last year before presenting the awards. There was much discussion amongst assembled BPC members about both the high feed prices and the future of free range flocks in light of avian influenza.

The award winners in 2007 were:

BPC Scholarship Award
Mrs. Gillian Hunter – University of Edinburgh 

BPC Distinguished Service Awards
Mr. Kevin Ayres – Lloyd Maunders
Mr. Mick Odlin – Nobel Foods (posthumous)
Mr. Alan Payne – Cranberry Foods

BPC Distinguished Marketing Award
Mrs. Kim Burgess – British Turkey Marketing Committee

BPC Special Service Award
Mr. Russell Kyle – International Animal Health, DEFRA

Following the presentation of the awards, BPC members enjoyed a high tea with their Members of Parliament and took the opportunity to socialize before getting back to their businesses during a busy seasonal trade.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

1.       The British Poultry Council is the leading representative organization for companies and individuals engaged in breeding, hatching, rearing and processing chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese to produce poultry meat.

2.       Citations for the award winners are attached as a separate document.

3.       Ted Wright has been the Chairman of the British Poultry Council since June 2004, when he retired as Managing Director (Hungary) from Bernard Matthews Ltd.

4.       Pictures of Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaw and all the award winners are available on request from BPC – pictures should be credited to Poultry World.

BPC 06 December 2007