Poultry.Network

ANTIMICROBIAL residues exceeding internationally recognised safety limits were identified in chicken meat samples from Bangladesh, India and northern Vietnam, according to new research led by the Royal Veterinary College. The study analysed 558 chicken breast samples collected during 2021 and 2022, either at the end of the production cycle or at points of sale.

Imports of shell eggs into the UK have fallen back this year, but those from outside the EU have maintained their grip on the market. Last year saw a surge in imports of shell eggs into the UK. Essentially these were from caged systems, driven both by shortages caused by bird flu, and the simultaneous run-down of the UK's colony flock as the supermarkets met their deadline for ending caged egg sales.

Tom Willings and Tom Woolman sit down together for a summer round-up of the stories shaping the poultry sector, from major changes in the feed industry to mounting pressure in the egg market. The episode begins with Tom Woolman's family holiday to the Dordogne, where a search for a farm visit led to a foie gras producer offering public tours of its entire operation.

Portable blood testing is giving poultry nutritionists and vets a clearer view of how birds are actually responding to feed-not simply what a ration is expected to deliver. In this episode, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Aaron Cowieson, senior science fellow at DSM-Firmenich, to explore the emerging use of blood biomarkers in commercial poultry production.

NFU Scotland has called on the UK Government to ensure imported eggs meet production standards equivalent to those required of domestic producers as market conditions begin to tighten. The union said the long-term outlook for Scottish egg production remained positive, with consumer demand continuing to be strong. However, recent expansion in the laying flock and continued growth in imported volumes were beginning to place downward pressure on prices in some parts of the market.

ForFarmers has reported a sharp rise in annual profit following the completion of a business reorganisation and an improvement in margins. The company made £14.8m after tax in the year to 31 December 2025, up from £4.3m in the previous year. Turnover increased more modestly to £625m.

AVERAGE weekly output of colony eggs in the UK has now dropped below 3 million dozen per week for the first time on record. Total output of eggs for human consumption from enriched cages fell to 2.91 m doz/ wk in the second quarter of this year, from 3.06 m doz in the first quarter, according to this week's published figures from Defra.

ABN has confirmed that it intends to exit the UK monogastric compound feed industry and will explore options, including divestment, for its remaining feed mills. The decision was communicated in a letter shared with customers and suppliers and has been confirmed to Poultry.Network by the company.

Joice and Hill has estimated the financial effect of a salmonella contamination at its hatchery at approximately £2.1m after the incident forced a temporary closure and the suspension of deliveries in spring 2026. The contamination occurred between 23 March and 10 April 2026, according to the company's accounts. The premises were subsequently closed from 13 to 27 April, deliveries were suspended and compensation was paid to customers.

Campaign groups scrutinising food and farming have become more professional, coordinated and technologically capable. How should farmers and agricultural businesses respond-and where does the industry need to improve? See also: How to Subscribe to The Poultry Network Podcast Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Amy Jackson, founder of Oxtail Communications and a research fellow at the University of Nottingham.