Poultry firms draw closer to disruption over EU proposal

UK poultry processors face upheaval as the EU edges closer to banning the sale of defrosted poultry meat preparations as chilled product.

Chicken drumsticks, basted or stuffed turkey crowns, prepared duck and game could all be hit if the EU Agriculture Council approves the plans.

Fears that the rules could affect chilled ready meals made from defrosted meat as well as meat preparations have been allayed, but the British Retail Consortium (BRC) still values the latter market at £150M. A final decision is expected later this year, but the European Parliament has agreed to the proposal in principle.

"It's appalling how this decision can be taken at EU level without considering the impact on people's livelihoods," said Kaarin Goodburn, secretary general of the Chilled Food Association.

Andrew Opie, BRC food policy director, said: "This will impact on everyone in the food chain."

At present, poultry processors rely on frozen stock to meet peak demand for chilled meat products during periods such as barbecue season and Christmas. At least 90% of these products are sourced from UK firms, according to the BRC. However, under the proposed rules retailers would no longer be able to do this and would have to find other supplies. Alternatively, products would have to switch from the chilled aisle to freezer cabinets, which might stop shoppers buying them.

"What the proposals would do is bring poultry meat preparations under EU fresh food marketing regulations," said Peter Bradnock, chief executive of the British Poultry Council. The intention was that consumers should not be misled into thinking product sold as fresh had not been previously frozen, he said.

It is feared that if retailers adjust to the implications too quickly, switching to alternative supplies, this could threaten the existence of some manufacturers.

The BRC and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have been lobbying the European Parliament (EP) and the EU Agriculture Council to drop the proposal.

However, the market in chilled poultry meat in the UK works differently to the way it does in many other EU Member States, which are consequently less concerned about the proposal. As a result, the UK has had no support for its request for the proposal to be reviewed or for a subsequent request for exemption from the new rules.

The industry now hopes to at least secure a transition period before the proposal becomes law to allow time to adapt.

"It's unlikely to hit this Christmas, but 2010 is when it would start to bite," said Opie.