Quality British produce

The Member Companies of the British Poultry Council take pride in working above and beyond that which is required of them by legislation. Built upon the foundations of animal health and welfare and food safety their produce is naturally of the highest standard.

We represent companies that vary greatly in size. From the large integrated companies , to the small seasonal farmer. From supermarkets to the farm-gate all BPC Member Companies take pride in the poultry they produce, and the diverse market they supply.

All poultry production is covered by stringent legislation, enforced by the Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS). Our Member Companies, and the industry as a unified body, work with the Regulators and other stakeholders to ensure good practice.

The British Poultry Council is one of the founding organisations of Assured Chicken Production (ACP). It is an industry-wide initiative that addresses all the important elements concerning the production of chicken. ACP is an independently assessed assurance scheme designed to give confidence to all of us as consumers. The scheme works to Assured Food Standards and chicken produced under the scheme carries the Red Tractor logo.

As a complementary initiative the industry in 2003 launched Great British Chicken. Incorporating the standards and Red Tractor logo of the ACP, the scheme highlights the advantages of buying home-grown chicken and informs consumers how we can identify it, and enjoy great British quality and taste.

The standards for chicken production cover best practice for breeding, hatching, rearing, catching, transport, slaughter, and processing. The Red Tractor and Union Jack on packs of chicken is a sign of guaranteed quality of production.

The Quality British Turkey Mark guarantees consumers the best turkey meat available today. The independently assessed British Turkey Quality Assurance Scheme backs the Mark. The Scheme highlights that British farmers are achieving some of the highest standards in the world.

By satisfying over 200 individual quality criteria, the Assurance Scheme certifies that British turkey products carrying the Quality Mark excel in areas of food safety, traceability, and bird welfare.

Did you know?

The UK poultry industry provides around 16 million chickens every single week.