A surge in membership to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association is being linked to avian influenza (AI) protection and political lobbying in a challenging 12 months for producers.
More than 500 free range egg businesses with a total flock of 11.5m birds are now part of the organisation.
As part of their membership, BFREPA members receive £50,000 of secondary cleansing and disinfection insurance cover through broker Scrutton Bland.
Free workbook
With a nationwide AI housing order in place, joining BFREPA is believed to be the only way that free range egg producers can currently secure a new policy to help cover the cost of a clean up after an AI outbreak.
All producer members also receive a free AI contingency planning workbook which details the steps free range units can take to prepare to deal with an outbreak.
BFREPA chief executive Robert Gooch said: "Undoubtedly the unique insurance scheme we negotiated has been extremely popular with producers and we know that our recently-launched contingency planning workbooks are being filled in across England, Scotland and Wales.
"These membership benefits are specifically designed to help free range egg producers build protection and resilience in their businesses."
'Working tirelessly'
Mr Gooch added that members also valued the high-level representation and influence the organisation commands.
Last year BFREPA lobbying helped to delay new standards being brought in by RSPCA Assured after producers felt a full consultation had not been carried out. New requirements for producers within the scheme would have placed a huge cost burden on businesses.
"We have been working tirelessly to raise the profile of issues being felt on farm with government, in the media and across the rest of the supply chain,” Mr Gooch added.
"We will continue this to build on this work in 2017 and our goal remains to create the conditions for free range egg producers to compete and thrive in a sector which has many challenges and opportunities facing it over the next 10 years.
"The more producers BFREPA represents the stronger it becomes, so we would urge non-members to join today."
