The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has launched a campaign aiming to support the UK poultry sector, while calling for Government to overhaul current planning framework.
NFU said excessive planning delays, inconsistent local decisions and systematic barriers were preventing poultry producers from creating essential space to look after and house the number of chickens needed.
In a 2025 broiler survey, the union found that the average age of a broiler house in the UK was more than 30 years old, with refurbishment rates low, while 15% of sheds currently in productions were at least 50 years old.
NFU Poultry board chair Will Raw commented: “British poultry farmers have a fantastic story to tell. We operate to some of the highest animal welfare and environmental standards in the world. Chicken is the nation’s favourite meat and consumed and enjoyed by families all over the country due to its nutritional benefits, its versatility and affordability.
“Producers are eager to invest, modernise, and future-proof their businesses to help feed the nation. But they are trapped in a planning system of endless delays and obstruction. When applications are in limbo or we are blocked from building new poultry housing – or upgrading ventilation and windows in older units – it stymies growth and directly harms on-farm innovation and efficiency.
“It’s estimated more than a thousand new poultry sheds need to be built to keep up with increasing public demand for British chicken. Without urgent change, we risk displacing British production with chicken produced overseas – from countries where food is allowed to be produced in ways that are illegal here.
“Government needs to overhaul the current planning framework to incentivise our farmers to invest in new buildings, to adopt improved technology and continue to deliver high welfare standards and reduced environmental impacts. This all builds long-term business resilience and viability.”
Campaign to champion British chicken
NFU’s #LoveBritishChicken campaign, which runs until Sunday 31st May 2026, will aim to celebrate British chicken and encourage farmers, industry, retailers and the public to come together to drive support for the British poultry sector.
Raw added: “I hope everyone will get behind this week-long celebration of the skill and dedication that goes into producing high-quality food. Our aim is to kick-start an evolving celebration for all that the British poultry sector has to offer.
“British chicken is nutritious, versatile and produced to world-leading standards and every time shoppers choose British, they are backing a sustainable future for UK poultry farming.”
