Reflections from EPIC 2026

EPIC 2026 brought together leaders from across the poultry and egg sectors to consider the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry's future. For Livetec, one message stood out: growth is important, but so too are the foundations needed to support it.

British poultry and egg production has an important role to play in the nation's food security. With demand for affordable, high-quality protein remaining strong, there is a clear opportunity for the industry to develop, invest and strengthen domestic production.

But as discussions at this year's Egg and Poultry Industry Conference (EPIC) highlighted, realising that opportunity will require more than ambition alone.

In his address, Stephen Morgan MP reinforced the importance of food security, investment and collaboration between government and industry. With poultry among the sectors being considered for a sector-led growth plan, there is an opportunity to examine what is needed to support British production over the longer term.

Richard Griffiths of the British Poultry Council explored some of those practical requirements, including production capacity, productivity, planning and access to essential resources such as water and energy. His presentation highlighted how decisions made beyond agriculture can have a direct impact on the industry's ability to grow.

These are challenges that cannot be addressed by producers working in isolation.

Growth depends on confidence

Alongside production capacity, maintaining confidence in British poultry and eggs emerged as another important theme.

Nick Allen of the British Egg Industry Council highlighted the strength of consumer demand for British eggs, but also the importance of assurance, food safety and reputation.

Fabio Brancher of Pilgrim's reinforced the relationship between production, welfare standards and consumer trust, alongside the practical challenges of expanding capacity within existing infrastructure.

Together, these perspectives raise an important question: how can the industry increase production while continuing to protect the standards and confidence on which its success depends?

Biosecurity, animal welfare, assurance and effective disease management all have a role to play. They are not separate considerations to be addressed after growth decisions have been made, but important parts of building sustainable and dependable production.

A connected industry

Another consideration is how effectively information and expertise are shared across the supply chain.

From producers and integrators through to processors and retailers, different organisations need visibility of the risks and responsibilities that affect their operations.

As businesses become more complex, and expectations around standards and accountability develop, there is an opportunity to improve how information is captured, managed and used.

Technology can help, but the real value lies in enabling better decisions, stronger collaboration and more effective action.

This must also work for producers. Greater visibility should support practical farm management and reduce unnecessary duplication, rather than simply create additional reporting requirements.

Protecting the opportunity ahead

For Livetec, the discussions at EPIC reinforced the importance of looking at poultry protection in its broadest sense.

Preventing disease remains fundamental, but so too are planning, preparedness, investment in people and the ability to respond effectively when circumstances change.

The industry's future will depend on bringing these elements together: supporting growth, improving productivity, maintaining standards and building resilience across the supply chain.

EPIC demonstrated that there is considerable ambition for the future of British poultry and egg production.

The challenge now is translating that ambition into practical, coordinated action that supports the people and businesses responsible for feeding the nation.