Veteran egg producer John Campbell of Glenrath Farms says the United Kingdom egg industry has been "shafted" by the European Union.
His outspoken attack on the EU came at the annual conference of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association. He had just been presented with the BFREPA Lifetime Achievement Award by association chairman John Retson and was making an acceptance speech when he decided to air his criticism of the European Union. He laid much of the blame for the current problems facing the free range egg industry at the door of Brussels.
John said that at the time of last year’s awards ceremony the free range egg industry was booming. "One year on the industry is in a complete mess. Supply has overtaken demand, and that came out very clearly at the AGM this morning. In my book there are far too many layers in the system – clearly the result of EU government intervention in a commercial enterprise." He said the industry had to look to the Westminster Government to help protect the UK egg industry.
John raised his grave concern about the EU’s handling of the forthcoming ban on conventional laying cages. He said that southern and eastern European countries would fail to meet the January 2012 deadline and would receive a derogation from the EU. "Our Government and our supermarkets have said they will not handle eggs from hens that do not comply. However, the World Trade Organisation does not recognise animal welfare as a barrier to trade. I pose the question, how can UK authorities control eggs coming to the UK in shell, liquid, processed or even dried form. I think it’s impossible. The bottom line is the UK industry has been shafted by EU government."
He said that UK supermarkets and major multiples deserved thanks for their commitment to buy only eggs meeting 2012 standards. He hoped that discounters and wholesalers would do the same. He also said that egg producers should refrain from blaming the supermarkets for the current difficulties in the egg market caused by soaring feed costs and depressed packer prices.
"The country is awash with surplus free range eggs and we are all losing money," he said. "Remember it’s not the supermarkets who decide the price. The market always decides the price of any commodity." John pointed to the potato market as an example. Last year there had been too many on the market and they were selling for between £60 and £65 a tonne. This year the price was approaching £200 a tonne. "The challenge for us is to get our house in order. I think the major retailers have been very responsible in maintaining the prices we have enjoyed in the last three months."
John took the opportunity to state again his opposition to the on-farm stamping of free range eggs. He said it was an unnecessary cost for free range egg producers, particularly in the current difficult times.
Another issue he raised was that of the requirement for egg producers to use non-GM feed. He said the industry needed to work together to persuade supermarkets to remove the requirement. "GM feeding is becoming so expensive and difficult to source. However, I think we can do something if we work together," he said. "We are the only industry left using non-GM feeding. One supermarket has already indicated that if the rest go they would do it. It would reduce the cost by two to three pence per dozen."
The Lifetime Achievement Award presented to John by BFREPA is an award made by the association to recognise an individual’s contribution to free range eggs. Last year it went to former chairman Tom Vesey. This year the award is recognition of the 60 years that John Campbell has devoted to the egg industry and his achievement in turning Glenrath Farms into a major free range egg producer.
The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to John by the BFREPA chairman, John Retson, who said, "Throughout his career John has shown a passion and tireless commitment to both his own business and the UK egg industry. Never afraid to speak up, he has always sought to improve production standards and bird welfare, whilst supporting those most important in the delivery of these – egg producers themselves." John Retson said his fellow Scot was a true entrepreneur. "He has had a firm vision of where his business is going and the confidence to take and manage risk to make it a success."
John Campbell and his wife Cathie started out with just a few hens in Argyllshire in 1960. The following year they moved to Glenrath Farm in the Scottish Borders. Glenrath Farms is now one of the biggest free range egg producers in the world. Glenrath packs as many as 1.3million eggs every day for supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda, and the company is the biggest Borders-based agricultural employer with more than 200 workers.
In 2000 John’s work was recognised with an OBE and in September this year he was named International Egg Person of the Year by the International Egg Commission. John Retson said, "BFREPA would like to add to this role of honour and show its gratitude and thanks by giving him its highest accolade."
John Campbell said he took great pleasure in accepting the award on behalf of everyone at Glenrath, but particularly on behalf of his son, Keith. "It was Keith who drove the company into free range eggs and expanded this side of our business. Clearly this has been the cornerstone of any little success we have had at Glenrath. The company would like to dedicate this award to Keith, who has had some health problems." He said, "I would like to thank BFREPA most sincerely for this most prestigious award."
He said it was a great honour for everyone at Glenrath.
