Aimee Mahony joined the NFU as Poultry Adviser in 2016 following four years in the egg sector, gaining practical poultry experience in her role as Regional Manager in East Anglia for Noble Foods.
In 2019 Aimee was named the EPIC Young Poultry Person of the Year and eight months later was appointed NFU Chief Poultry Adviser. Aimee completed her MSc in Intensive Livestock Health and Production in 2020, focusing her final research on UK poultry keepers’ perceptions of avian influenza biosecurity and risk.
As Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee leads on a number of policy issues covering both the poultry meat and egg sectors and manages the national poultry board. She has also been instrumental in the success of the Poultry Industry Programme which is an opportunity for young people to learn more about the poultry sector and encourages them to become future ambassadors for the industry.
Charles Bourns is a first-generation broiler farmer from Gloucestershire growing 480,000 chickens per year for Hook 2 Sisters. He has been involved with the NFU for 36 years and was chairman of its National Poultry Board for 12 years. In addition, he is on the NFU’s South West Regional Poultry Board representing poultry farmers and he represents the NFU at meetings of Red Tractor. Charles is also Chairman of the National Fallen Stock Company. Charles has been involved in consultation work on all aspects of environmental, zoonotic and other aspects of poultry production both in the UK and in Europe and is passionate about the industry and its future.
Chloe Ryan has been a journalist specialising in food and farming her whole career, covering the meat industry in depth for more than a decade. Chloe was the launch editor of Poultry Business at the start of 2017 and continues in role as editor to this day. She is the head judge of the National Egg & Poultry Awards panel.
Claire studied veterinary medicine at Edinburgh University, graduating in 1980 and starting work in a mixed practice in Essex.
In 1984, she moved to Norfolk, working mainly with small animals and exotic pets, as well as poultry and gamebirds.
In 1995 Claire and her colleague Stephen Lister founded Crowshall Veterinary Services, a practice dedicated to providing evidence-based, practical and compassionate veterinary care, and diagnostic services to the commercial poultry and gamebird sectors.
One of Claire’s particular interests was the egg industry – from grandparent stock down to commercial layers.
Claire is a former President and an honorary member of the British Veterinary Poultry Association, and a committee member of the East Anglian Poultry Group.
Claire retired in 2022, taking great pride in the growth and development of “Crowshall Vets” over the years and in the achievements of her younger colleagues.
Since retirement, Claire has enjoyed spending more time with her family and getting involved with her local community.
Among her many hobbies are walking, gardening, Pilates, flower arranging, reading and going to the theatre.
Professor Ganapathy graduated with DVM from the University of Agriculture Malaysia in 1991 and completed his PhD (respiratory mixed infection in poultry) in the University of Liverpool in 1997. In 2004, he became a MRCVS after passing the statutory examination, and became a RCVS and European specialist in 2007 and 2011 respectively.
Dr.Ganapathy is engaged with research, teaching, consultations and CPDs, mostly on molecular immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, control and prevention of respiratory poultry diseases. His research focuses on avian respiratory pathogens and vaccines, especially on infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). He has studied the interactions between live viral vaccines of IBV, aMPV and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and the influence of live infectious bursa disease virus vaccines on the bursa of Fabricius and its impact on live IBV vaccine-take. He also has years of experience in research, diagnosis, control and prevention of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) and Mycoplasma synoviae (Ms).
Dr Ganapathy has been consulted on various issues related to diagnosis, control and prevention of infectious diseases in broiler, layer and breeder farms in Asia, Middle East and Europe. Often, he has been asked to conduct auditing on vaccine and vaccination protocols, on farm biosecurity measures, and overall health and production improvement plans.
Gary Ford is the CEO of the BEIC having taken over from Mark Williams in December 2023.
Gary joined the BEIC in August 2023 prior to that he spent the majority of his working life at the NFU where he held various positions including East Anglia Regional Director, Group Secretary at various locations in the Midlands and seven years as the NFU’s Chief Poultry Adviser. Prior to working for the NFU, Gary was in the broiler sector for ten years as an agricultural manager. Gary is from a family farming background in Worcestershire.
James is a broiler producer from Shropshire and produces his own feed rations through on farm home mixing, feeding his birds a mash-based diet. He is the current chair of the NFU Poultry Industry Programme and was previously co-opted to the board as a PIP representative which ensures the voice of younger members is well represented.
Mark Williams is a poultry farmer’s son. After studying at Harper Adams Agricultural College in Shropshire, he managed a large pullet rearing / egg production unit. Following gaining valuable experience, he returned home to expand the business. In 1991, he joined the National Farmers’ Union as a Regional Poultry Adviser in the north of England. In 1995, he was appointed National Egg Specialist. He joined the British Egg Industry Council in 1999 and was Chief Executive from 2000 until retiring in December 2023. He is currently Chairman of the BEIC.
He was also Secretary-General of EUWEP (the EU trade association for egg packers, egg traders and egg processors) from 1999-2018. He was President of the EU Civil Dialogue Group on Poultry and Eggs on two occasions (2010-12 and 2016-18). He was a Board member of CELCAA (the EU liaison committee for the food trade) from 1999-2018.
He is also a Nuffield Scholar, and was Chairman of the Nuffield Poultry Study Group from May 2012 – May 2015. He was Chairman of the UK Poultry Health and Welfare Group in 2015 & 2016 and in 2021 & 2022. He was Statistical Adviser to the International Egg Commission from 1996 – 2006.
Paul Kelly is a second generation turkey farmer from Essex and his business, Kelly Turkeys is responsible for resurrecting the traditional Bronze turkey breed. His business also encompasses Farm Gate Hatcheries, which supplies turkey poults to hundreds of farmers around the country. Paul is a great advocate for the turkey sector, and dry-plucked premium birds in particular.
Richard is Chief Executive at the British Poultry Council and has been in the poultry meat sector for fifteen years. Prior to that his background was in quarrying and underground mining. Responsible for the building the reputation of the poultry industry, Richard has been extensively involved in food security issues and in dealing with the effects of Brexit on food supply and production. His focus for the coming years will be on helping the poultry meat sector to be a vital and leading part of a sustainable food strategy for the UK.
Aviagen is a world leading poultry breeding company, with wholly owned operations across Europe and in the USA and a number of joint ventures in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Our breed portfolio is recognised as the largest and strongest in the world and, through investment in research and development, state of the art facilities, colleague training and customer focus, our Ross 308 continues to deliver excellence across the United Kingdom. With welfare and sustainability at the heart of everything we do, our well-established genetic selection programme ensures continuous improvements in bird health and performance with the highest–quality care and welfare standards. For more information visit aviagen.com
As the second largest animal health business in the world, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving animal health. With more than 10,000 employees worldwide, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has products available in more than 150 markets and a global presence in 99 countries. For more information about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, click here.
Innovative medicines for people and animals have for more than 130 years been what the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim stands for. Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies and to this day remains family-owned.
More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found onwww.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Ceva Animal Health is a global company focused on technical product innovation, delivering high quality products to veterinarians and poultry producers. Ceva’s vaccine portfolio includes Cevac IBird®, Cevac Salmovac®, Cevac Mass L®, and our infectious bursal disease vaccines: Transmune®, Novamune® and Cevac IBD L®. Ceva’s dedicated poultry team are happy to support our customers with vaccination equipment, vaccine administration training and auditing, disease and vaccine response monitoring through serology and PCR with results linked to production performance and data management tools.Advice on POM-V medicines should only be sought from the prescribing veterinarian. Use medicines responsibly (www .noah.co.uk/ responsible) Ceva Animal Health Ltd, Explorer House, Mercury Park, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire HP10 0HH. Telephone: 01628 334 05
More information about Ceva Animal Heath can be found on: www.ceva.co.uk or contact us at customerservicesuk@ceva.com.
We’re one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, owned by millions of members. We’re the UK’s seventh biggest food retailer with more than 2,500 local, convenience and medium-sized stores. We’re committed to supporting British farmers – 100% of our fresh & frozen meat is British even when used as an ingredient (excluding continental meat) along with milk, cream and cheddar cheese. By promoting British farming, we can support rural communities across the UK and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.
As a purpose-led company, for years, DSM has supplied science-based products, services and ground breaking innovation fundamental to the health, well-being and sustainability of farm animals.
With growing demand for sustainable animal protein that is safe, nutritious and affordable, we’re helping the industry transition to a more sustainable future to meet this complex challenge.
Through our 3 business lines: ‘Essential Products’, ‘Performance Solutions + BIOMIN’ and ‘Precision Services’, we’re able to offer our customers a true end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services for sustainable and profitable animal farming.We make it possible.
More information about DSM Animal Nutrition & Health can be found on: www.dsm.com/anh
Elanco is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals, creating value for farmers, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities.
Lallemand is a global leader in microbial fermentation, celebrating 100 years of yeast production in 2023. Taking a partnership approach, Lallemand Animal Nutrition has selected, documented and produced a range of specific yeast and bacteria-based products to improve gut health and digestive processes. In turn, this improves feed & nutrient efficiency, allowing animals to reach their full potential and better cope with any challenges they face.Lallemand Animal Nutrition provides poultry producers with natural and renowned products such as Aviguard and Bactocell, backed by sound science, scientific research and trials, to optimise animal performance and well-being. Their innovative solutions positively support animal health, feed management and microbial balance within the animal environment.Lallemand is your partner in natural, microbial solutions for a changing world, offering a higher level of expertise, leadership and industry commitment with long-term and profitable solutions.More information about Lallemand Animal Nutrition can be found on https://lallemandanimalnutrition.com/en/united-kingdom-ireland/
Noble Foods is a family-owned business which was started in 1902 by William Dean. Now under the ownership of Sarah Dean, William’s great-granddaughter, the business is one of the UK’s largest food suppliers and producers more than 30 million eggs every week. Noble Foods also encompasses successful milling, poultry, agriculture and consumer foods business units. Within this, Noble Foods owns several household brands, including the UK’s largest free-range egg brand the happy egg co., Freshlay Golden Yolks and Purely Organic. The company has received global recognition for its animal welfare standards through the Business Benchmark on farm animal welfare (BBFAW) and 100% of its free-range and organic farms are RSPCA Assured. Today, Noble Foods is a leading national organisation that is intensely proud of its rich and vibrant history.
We are St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, a multi-award winning, family-run, free-range egg producer, farming for over 40 years in Cornwall. With family values at our heart and nutrition at our core, we have wholeheartedly dedicated ourselves to producing an egg for everybody.
Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health; Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostics, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis is dedicated to supporting our customers and their businesses in advancing care for animals.
The BEIC is an inter-professional organisation of 11 trade associations in the UK, which cover all aspects of the egg industry – breeding, hatching, rearing, laying, packing, egg processing and marketing. The British Egg Information Service (BEIS) was set up by the BEIC to provide information and answer questions about eggs, as well as to promote the benefits of Lion eggs. BEIC also finances research and development. BEIC is recognised by Government and Parliament as the representative voice of the UK egg industry. BEIC is funded by a voluntary levy on a number of packers and producer/packers who between them represent more than 90% of egg output in the UK. These ‘Subscribers’ to the BEIC adhere to the ‘Lion’ Code of Practice, which sets higher standards of both hygiene and animal welfare than is currently required by UK or EU law. BEIC is delighted to support the National Egg & Poultry Awards, to recognise the work individuals and companies do to help drive our industry forward. The egg sector is one of UK agriculture’s success stories, being technically efficient, innovative and responsive to consumer demands.
The British Poultry Council is the trade association for those involved in the production of poultry meat - chicken, turkey, duck, and goose – in the UK. Our member businesses account for nearly 90% or the production in this country and cover whole food chain: breeding hatching growing, slaughter, processing, and packing. British poultry meat farmers grow nearly a billion birds every year to standards that are among the best in the world. Facing Brexit, British food and confidence in British food producers is more important than ever. BPC members, who do not receive subsidy through the Common Agricultural Policy, are committed to producing safe, wholesome, and nutritious food for Britain.
The NFU represents more than 46,000 farming and growing businesses. Our purpose is to champion British agriculture and horticulture, to campaign for a stable and sustainable future for British farmers and to secure the best possible deal for our members. We strive to protect and promote British farm life and give our members a voice now and in the future. Whether it's through our first-class advice, guidance or business-specific technical expertise and our unmatched professional services and money-saving rewards, to how we're representing farmers in the heart of governments in England, Wales and at a regional level the NFU is committed to representing its members now and in the future. Together we have the chance to ensure farming’s future is brimming with opportunity and that food production gets the recognition it rightly deserves.
