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 | Colin Shed, Bowlers finance director and BFREPA chairman John Retson agree to join BFREPA boosting the association strength in helping members face problems affecting free range producers |
Bowler’s, which is one of the biggest independent free range egg production companies in the United Kingdom, has more than 2.5 million hens under contract. By joining BFREPA, Bowler’s will increase the number of birds represented by the association to 10.1 million. Both Bowler’s and BFREPA chairman, John Retson, believe that the decision to join the association will help BFREPA stand up for producers far more effectively during what is a critical time for the free range egg sector.
"We need to speak with the strongest united voice possible," said John Retson. "These are very difficult times for free range egg producers. They really have been feeling the squeeze because there are just too many eggs on the market. The more producers we represent, the stronger our voice will be. Bowler’s decision to join us is very good news for all producers because they not only bring with them two and a half million birds but also the benefit of 30 years’ experience in this industry. They will add both weight and experience to the
association."
Colin Shed, Bowler’s finance director said, "We felt that it would be in the best interests of producers for us to join forces with BFREPA. It is a crucial time for the industry. We have been going through this period of oversupply and producers have been suffering as a result of over-expansion. It is in the interests of producers that they have a representative body that seeks to unite all producers with a view to possibly preventing this happening again in the future and I think we at Bowler’s can help.".
With the addition of John Bowler’s birds, BFREPA will now represent 67 per cent of all free range egg layers in the country. John Retson would like to see that figure increase to 80 per cent, and he and the council have put in place plans to help transform the effectiveness of the association as a representative body.
"I would like to see BFREPA become the strongest representative body within the egg industry as a whole," said John. "We need to drive the association on and we have put a number of measures in place to make that happen. I think that is one of the reasons that Bowler’s have decided to come on board."
The most significant measure will be the appointment of a new director of policy, which is intended to place BFREPA on a much more professional footing. John also wants the association to exert more influence over political decision-making and the drafting of legislation, at the same time as maintaining strong working relationships with other representative bodies, packers and supermarkets. He would like BFREPA to influence research and also to become more involved in the promotion of free range eggs. John would also like to see BFREPA creating its own database as a tool to help prevent the free range egg sector drifting into the problem of oversupply again in the future.
Colin Shed said that the appointment of a director of policy was an important move for BFREPA and it was one that he thought should be supported. "This is good for the industry and for producers in my view, and we want to support both John and BFREPA in moving the association forward, increasing its status within the industry and giving it a larger, more united, presence."
He said that the coming months would be an important time for the egg sector, not only because of the problem of oversupply but also because of the European Union’s ban on conventional cages, which is due to come into force on January 1 next year. It is estimated that 25 per cent of the EU laying flock could be illegal when the ban comes into force. There are concerns about how the EU will deal with these illegal eggs and how those eggs could affect the UK egg market if they were to find their way across the Channel.
"January, February and March next year could possibly be critical. We need to protect our industry and, hopefully, a stronger BFREPA may help to do that." Bowler’s began egg production on their first farm in 1980. They now have more than 170 farms under contract across the country and operate a franchise style system, providing producers with an easy way into free range production. The turnkey package they offer includes dealing with planning applications, financial forecasting, business planning, groundworks, site development, health and safety, buildings and equipment, pullets, feed, full training and support, transport, old hen removal, collection of eggs and a long-term market for the producer’s eggs.
User Comments
This is a brave decision by BFREPA, and they should be applauded.
Yes Bowler had his negative part to play in the oversupply of Free Range, but I suspect that Bowler realises that this is now a different market, and one that it is too big for them to be able to influence.
Free Range is no longer the niche it once was, and in those times Bowler supplied the growing market.
Now the market has become commoditised, and Bowler does not offer anything attractive (least of all to their producers!) to the packers who have always bought his eggs.
Bowler realises that he no longer has power, so is pitching in with BFREPA, which is just beginning to flex its muscles, and should be supported by its members.
For those moaning about the decision the committee makes, why not stand for election at the AGM later this year?
The egg price must have been too high otherwise there wouldn't have been a rush of new entrants as it wouldn't have been an attractive investment.
I can see that a 12000 bird unit will only pay one person's wages in the future. Long gone are the days of cleanout contractors and employees. If people can't compete with new efficient units then they should pack up. Don't moan if someone comes along and can do the job better for cheaper.
If mr bowler hadn't recruited new producers someone else would have done.
I dont think we have ever been over paid for our eggs!, no one individual is to blame but a lot of new entrants came via bowlers surely mr bowler with his 30 yrs of experience should have realised that the egg ind could not cope with such an influx of new egg onto the market!but you are right mr bowler on his own is not to blame
At 05/10/2011 17:29:35How can the state of the industry all be the blame of one man? I notice that no one was complaining that they were being overpaid for their eggs 3 years ago and that in return would attract new entrants.
If you cant make a profit then give up and do something else, we are all as much to blame as anyone else by producing eggs nobody wants. To blame one individual is unfair.
Well done john. You got us into this mess now you want BFREPA to help you keep your 10%
At 04/10/2011 22:01:51The best way I could describe this deal is akin to inviting a fox into your hen house and leaving him in their all night.
The track record is frightning please BFREPA reconsider this decision before it is too late.
This is one of the worst decisions BFREPA has ever made it is on par with their vote to double the stocking density that allowed this massive expansion which is now putting producers out of business,
This decision should have been balloted by all members not done behind closed doors in a cosy deal similar to the stocking density decision, But then it would never have gone through as it would have been a definite no vote,
Next BFREPA will be inviting the Bankers to join.
This is one of the worst decisions BFREPA has ever made it is on par with their vote to double the stocking density that allowed this massive expansion which is now putting producers out of buisness,
This decision should have been balloted by all members not done behind closed doors in a cosy deal similar to the stocking density decision, But then it would never have gone through as it would have been a definite no vote,
Next BFREPA will be inviting the Bankers to join.
Is it just myself or does anyone else feel Mr Bowler is partly responsible for the over supply of Free range eggs? I would bet my farm on on the fact that the bank are not giving the bowler machine grief and retracting their overdraft!another great decision by bfrepa.
At 03/10/2011 18:56:22Never misses a trick do we John, the man that got us into this mess touting for yet more business to encourage yet more mugs to sign up to produce yet more eggs to replace the ones that go bankrupt, his financial forecasting has a lot to be desired, we all know the figures he put in last time. Its the market that is shrinking, not over supply, sales are nothing like what they used to be and with this credit crunch not even started yet, not likely to improve for a long long time.
At 03/10/2011 16:54:06John Bowler and all his producers are welcome to BFREPA as long as John Bowler recognizes that the industry is changing, and it has to change for the better, terms of trading for its producers need to be a lot fairer for everybody. I would welcome John Bowler to sit down with me and help us draft "the producers charter" which the whole industry needs to adopt.
John please be the first major organisation to recognize that the industry is changing and be proud to be a part of that.
Eggsell and others are fighting for a better DEAL for everybody, let that module be the way forward for us all.
Packers and Producers together.
If you are a packer that would like to see change in our industry please do come forward, NOW is the time.
Feel free to contact me in confidence by phone on 01277-362414 or email
unite@eggproducerstogether.co.uk
Ian Chisholm
I cannot see the point of blaiming John Bowler. He has been an innovator in free range egg productoin, his vision should be commended. Over production and the plight of the egg producers lies fair and square at the packers door. They sell eggs and should know how many they need to fulfil their markets.A.J.Heath.
At 02/11/2011 19:22:24