Defra’s Powell takes helm at British Meat Processors
Next week will see BMPA boss Nick Allen officially pass the baton over to John Powell.
Meat, Poultry & Seafood
UK strikes lucrative organic livestock deal with Japan
British food producers are set to see ‘red tape slashed’ as the Government announces that the UK and Japan have formally recognised the equivalency of each other’s organic livestock standards.
Pilgrim’s hires Hilton Food Group’s CEO
Pilgrim’s Europe has secured Hilton Food Group’s UK & Ireland CEO for new commercial execute role.
The Jolly Hog looks to shake-up bacon innovation
British meat brand, The Jolly Hog, has launched a new range of extra-thick bacon - a category it says which has seen ‘little innovation’.
Pilgrim’s Europe invests £350K in pork innovation centre
The meat manufacturer has opened a centre of excellence for pork at its Bromborough site.
Man pleads guilty for conspiring to place unsafe food on market
A man from Wales described as a ‘significant figure’ in the illicit ‘smokies’ trade has pleaded guilty following an investigation by the National Food Crime Unit.
Pilgrim’s Europe set up Butchery Academy to plug meat industry’s skills gap
Manufacturer Pilgrim’s Europe has launched a new ‘Butchery Academy’ with a view to bringing fresh talent into the UK’s meat industry.
Chicken King’s 2Agriculture business brings in new recruit
The Boparan Private Office owned poultry feed business is looking to improve its independent grower network with its latest addition to the team.
British beef enters US market tariff-free for the first time
UK beef is set to hit US shelves tariff-free for the first time, accompanied by the launch of a dedicated agri-food trade mission to Washington DC.
Iran war: Industry experts discuss its potential impact on UK meat prices
The explosion of hostilities between a joint US-Israel coalition and Iran has spilled out across the Middle East and could now impact UK food prices.
Tesco recalls French pork product after salmonella found
Tesco has issued an urgent recall notice for packs of a widely available French pork product over salmonella concerns.
Waitrose suspends mackerel sales citing serious overfishing concerns
The premium supermarket is set to suspend all sales of mackerel in its stores by the end of April.
Pilgrim’s Europe buys pig genetics firm
Pilgrim’s Europe acquires Hermitage AI, a global supplier of pig breeding stock and genetic services.
Aberdeenshire meat supplier’s potential closure puts 120 jobs at risk
Aberdeenshire-based meat supplier Donal Russell is considering the closure of its operations, potentially putting as many as 120 jobs at risk.
2 Sisters owner acquires German turkey and chicken processor
The Boparan Private Office has acquired Heidemark as the business looks to enhance its automation, innovation, productivity, and sustainability.
Devon-based meat business makes seven figure investment into new site
Edenmoor – previously known as Pipers Farm – has invested an undisclosed seven figure sum into a bespoke production facility as the meat business looks to scale.
KFC pledges £100M annually for UK poultry
KFC UK and Ireland is set to back the British chicken sector by increasing its spend on sourcing home-grown wings to £100 millon a year.
Four people charged in long-running salmon fraud bust
Four people have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for misrepresenting smoked salmon.
Mercosur deal ratified despite fury of French and Irish farmers
The European Union (EU) has approved what could turn out to be a landmark trade deal with the South American bloc.
Opinion: What’s shaping the next era of UK meat production?
As UK pork and poultry producers grapple with price wars, inflation and biosecurity risks, Orwa Mohamad, consumer sector analyst at Third Bridge reveals the lessons we can take from Cranswick’s business strategy.
UK issues first safety guidance for lab-grown meat
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), in partnership with Food Standards Scotland (FSS), has published the UK’s first safety guidance for lab-grown meat.
Dawn Meats and Alliance Group finalise new strategic partnership
Red meat processor Dawn Meats and New Zealand based Alliance Group have announced the formal completion of their new strategic partnership.
Is saithe the answer for struggling UK chippies?
The Norwegian Seafood Council plans to promote a little-known fish species as an alternative to cod and haddock.
Ensuring seal integrity in modified atmosphere packaging
It is widely known that pack leaks continue to be one of the main reasons why retailers return stock. Tara O’Connor, product manager for tray sealers at Ishida Europe, explains the measures that can be taken to reduce pack failure rates.
MPs push for faster action over illegal meat imports
Biosecurity threats at Britain’s borders cannot wait for Government to conclude EU negotiations, a committee of MPs has warned.
Cranswick to invest £40M to improve animal welfare
Following incidences of animal abuse exposed at a handful of its farms, Cranswick has outlined a six-point plan to improve its animal welfare.
Irish meat manufacturer invests in major digital overhaul
Irish meat manufacturer, Kepak, has successfully completed a major digital project in a “significant step” to future-proof its business operations.
Excrement burns rise on KFC chickens
KFC’s latest Annual Progress Report on Chicken Welfare for Western Europe, UK & Ireland shows an increase in excrement burns and footpad dermatitis.
UK Government urged to end ‘agonising’ CO2 stunning of pigs
A leading international animal protection organisation is calling on the UK Government to end high-intensity CO2 pig stunning in its forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy.
Consumers making “more adventurous choices” with seafood
Aldi has reported rising demand from shoppers for unusual and premium varieties of seafood, as Brits are becoming more adventurous in their choices.
ABP workers strike suspended after improved pay offer
Unite the union has revealed it has suspended planned all-out strike action at the Anglo Beef Processing UK (ABP) factory in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, following the receipt of an improved pay offer.
Dawn Meats acquires stake in Alliance Group
Red meat processor, Dawn Meats, is entering a strategic partnership with New Zealand based meat processor, Alliance Group.
Workers are set for strike action at ABP Craigavon
Workers at Anglo Beef Processors UK (ABP) Craigavon plant are set to strike over a pay deal which Unite union said would mean a “real terms” pay cut.
Good Food Institute acquires cultivated meat lines
The Good Food Institute (GFI) has acquired the cultivated meat cell lines and growth media developed by SCiFi Foods to make it available to the whole sector.
Waitrose commits to tackling seafood carbon emissions
Waitrose is adopting the Seafood Carbon Emissions Profiling Tool (SCEPT) to help measure and reduce carbon emissions across its seafood supply chain.
Dawn Meats cuts emissions by 63%
Dawn Meats has revealed it has achieved a 63% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
EU Parliament votes to ban meat names for plant-based foods
Plant-based food manufacturers exporting to the EU may need to remove words such ‘sausage’, ‘steak’ and ‘burger’ from their packaging under proposals.
Pilgrim’s Europe profits grow amid revenue dip
The UK private label grocery supplier reported profitable growth, with profit after tax at £128.4 million for FY 2024.
Hilton Foods disposes of FairFax Meadow for £54M
Hilton Foods has sold the catering butcher to Sysco GB as the group continues to reshape it strategy.
Cranswick faces fresh animal cruelty scandal as undercover footage shows piglets beaten to death on farm
New footage of piglets being killed through blunt force trauma on a Cranswick farm has been made public.
Meat workers at ABP to vote on strike action
Workers at an Anglo Beef Processors UK (ABP) site are preparing to vote on taking strike action after rejecting a pay offer.
Major meat trade body boss to leave
The CEO of the British Meat Processors Association has announced he will be stepping down.
Meat smuggling crisis risks ‘major disease outbreak’ in UK
Alarming amounts of meat and dairy products are being illegally imported to Britain for sale and personal consumption, a new EFRA Committee report has said.
Checks on seafood linked to human rights abuses at ‘alarmingly low levels’ in UK
UK consumers may unknowingly be buying seafood linked to human rights abuses and illegal fishing practices, according to a new report.
Wigan man pleads guilty in poultry fraud case
A 52-year-old man has pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods in a case linked to wider distribution fraud of a substantial amount of poultry.
Animal abuse exposed on trout farm in undercover footage
Undercover footage filmed on a trout farm in the Cotswolds shows fish being beaten, stepped on and left to suffocate.
Cheap food is costing the planet
Supermarkets need to prioritise sustainability and accept when this costs more, writes Nick Behari, country manager UK & IE for Vion Food UK Ltd.
DB Food Group acquired by UK retail firm
Meat wholesaler DB Food Group has been acquired by the Paramount Retail Group for an undisclosed fee.
‘Horrifying images’ at Cranswick farm show ‘abuses are no exception’
Animal welfare organisations have warned that cruelty on UK farms will continue unless concrete action is taken.
Animal cruelty exposed at another Cranswick farm after 10-month investigation
Animal cruelty has been exposed at a Cranswick pig farm in Lincolnshire where undercover investigators filmed staff for 10 months with hidden cameras.