Welcome to the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC)
The BEIC is an inter-professional organisation of 11 trade associations in the UK, which cover all aspects of the egg industry – breeding, hatching, rearing, laying, packing, egg processing and marketing.
The principal function of the BEIC is to represent the interests of its Members (the UK egg industry) in discussions with Government, MPs, the European Commission, European Parliament, and other bodies. BEIC also finances research and development. BEIC is recognised by Government and Parliament as the representative voice of the UK egg industry.
The 11 representative Trade Associations are:
- British Egg Association (BEA)
- British Egg Products Association (BEPA)
- British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA)
- National Egg Marketing Association Ltd (NEMAL)
- National Farmers’ Union (England and Wales) (NFU)
- National Farmers’ Union (Scotland) (NFUS)
- Northern Ireland Poultry Breeders and Hatcheries Association (NIPBHA)
- Pullet Hatcheries Association (PHA)
- Pullet Rearers’ Association (PRA)
- Scottish Egg Producers Retailers Association (SEPRA)
- Ulster Farmers Union (UFU)
The Council of the BEIC is made up of the 11 organisations listed above. The Chairman of each organisation attends the quarterly Council meeting, where policy is determined.
BEIC is funded exclusively by a voluntary levy on a number of packers and producer/packers who between them represent nearly 85% of egg output in the UK. These ‘Subscribers’ to the BEIC adhere to the ‘Lion’ Code of Practice, which sets higher standards of both hygiene and welfare than is currently required by UK or EU law.
BEIC members and staff also hold key positions in the following EU and global organisations;
- COPA/COGECA (the EU organisation for producers and cooperatives)
- EEPTA (the EU organisation for egg packers and traders)
- EEPA (the EU organisation for egg processors)
- EUWEP (the umbrella organisation for EEPTA and EEPA)
- The European Commission’s Advisory Group on Eggs and Poultrymeat
International Egg Commission (the global body for egg producers, packers, traders, processors and allied industries)
The British Egg Association
(BEA) represents the UK egg producers and is a member organisation within The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC)
It meets four times a year to discuss a wide range of topical issues currently affecting the industry. The views of the producers are sought by the BEIC Council and the Chairman, Andrew Joret is Deputy Chairman of the BEIC and an Office Holder.
The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive and the Egg Marketing Regulations would have been far more damaging to the industry had BEIC not lobbied intensively during the consultation period.
We continue to ensure that DEFRA understands that any gold plating would put the UK industry at a severe commercial disadvantage compared to other Member States.
BEA wishes to encourage new producers to join BEA and have their views heard. The cost structure has been reviewed and is £250 for producers with up to 1 million birds and £500 for those above.
If you are interested in joining please email Louisa Platt (auto email)
The National Egg Marketing Association Ltd
NEMAL represents the UK egg packers and is a member organisation within The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC)
NEMAL meet three times a year to discuss all topical issues which may affect their industry. The views of the packers are sought by the BEIC Council and the Chairman, Andrew Parker is Chairman of the BEIC and an Office Holder.
NEMAL is open to all UK egg packers and the cost structure is set out below:
£500 if packing over 500,000 cases/pa
£250 if under 500,000 cases/pa
If you are interested in joining please email Louisa Platt
The Pullet Rearers Association
The PRA represents the interests of BEIC pullet rearers. Meetings take place 3 times a year where topical issues which affect (or are likely to affect) rearers can be discussed (for example: animal welfare legislation, Poultry Health, IPPC and the Climate Change Levy). This forum therefore serves as an excellent means of ensuring that the views of pullet rearers – of all sizes - are fed into the BEIC who then responds on your behalf.
PRA wishes to encourage new members to join and the membership is set at £175.
If you are interested in joining please email Louisa Platt
