Conference Tickets Stands Exhibitors Dinner Awards
BFREPA are delighted to host the 2025 British Free Range Show at the Telford International Centre on Thursday 27th November 2025, in association with the Pullet Hatcheries & Breeders Association, in partnership with Noble Foods, and sponsored by Newquip, Elanco, Alltech and Innovad Group.
Following last year's success, we will again be using Hall 3, which allows us to hold everything in one space and provides greater flexibility for everyone.
The centre is a disabled-friendly venue with everyone being able to access all public areas of the event.
There is ample car parking on site and exhibitors will be sent two car parking passes free of charge as part of their package.
Wi-Fi is available for internet browsing during the event.
Exhibitor packages include two one-day delegate packages, which include two servings of tea/coffee, a bacon roll on arrival and a two-course hot fork lunch. Additional day delegate packages can be added on request.
Timetable
09.15 - 09.30: Chairman's & Noble Foods welcome and comments
09.45 - 12.00 : Morning Session Chaired by Gary Ford
Political Session
• Political Reflections - George Eustice, former DEFRA Secretary of State
• Fairness in the Supply Chain - Lewis Acred, Supply Chain Fairness Lead, DEFRA
Welfare & Disease
• Latest on Avian Influenza & Vaccination - Dr Christine Middlemiss, CVO & Gordon Hickman, DEFRA
• Angie Curtis, RoboScientific Ltd
• What are we seeing out there? - Ian Lowery BVetMed, Crowshall Veterinary Services
12.00 - 13:30: Lunch
12.00: AGM
13.30 - 16.30: Afternoon Session Chaired by Gary Ford
Environment
• Alltech Carbon Assessment - Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard, Alltech Technical Director
• A Dutch Perspective on the Environment - Eric Hubers, Free Range and Barn Egg Producer
• Sharon Chisholm, Agri-Food Industry Advisor, Environment Agency
• Kathy Gibson, Free Range Producer, Northern Ireland
Policy
• Nick Allen, CEO BEIC
• Budget Update for farmers by Robbie Moore, MP and Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
16.25: Closing Remarks (James Baxter, Chairman)
Speaker Bios
Rt Hon George Eustice
Managing Director of Penbroath Ltd
George Eustice was a Minister in DEFRA for nine years including almost three years in Cabinet. He brought into law the Agriculture Act 2020, the Environment Act 2021 and the Fisheries Act 2020 which together established the main policy frameworks for the post EU era. He also developed most of the policies under the Future Agriculture Programme for England including the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Landscape Recovery Fund. Before entering politics he worked for ten years in the family farming business in Cornwall and he studied horticulture at Writtle College. He campaigned to leave the EU but resigned from Theresa May’s government in order to make the case for a compromise built around membership of EFTA and the EEA. Since leaving Government he has built his own consultancy business, Penbroath, which specialises in the environment and agri-tech.
Robbie Moore MP
Shadow Minister for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Robbie Moore MP is the Shadow Farming and Rural Affairs Minister as well as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Keighley and Ilkley. He grew up on his family's arable farm in Lincolnshire, where they still farm today. Robbie spent 12 years working as a land agent and rural practice surveyor, which included starting his own consultancy business, before being elected as Keighley and Ilkley's MP in 2019. In 2016, Robbie completed a Nuffield Farming Scholarship which focused on the implications of short-term land tenure and agriculture.
Robbie served as a DEFRA minister under the last Conservative Government from November 2023 up to the last general election.
Gordon Hickman
Head of Exotic Disease Control: Defra
Gordon has an honours degree in agriculture from Reading University. He spent 18 years as an agricultural adviser with ADAS in Southern England specialising in business management and waste & environmental management. In May 2001, he was seconded to the UK Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food to assist with the disposal operations during the 2001 FMD outbreak, joining Defra on a permanent basis in 2004.
Gordon is currently Head of exotic disease control in Defra, where he is responsible for policy and legislation for exotic notifiable diseases of animals, new and emerging animal disease threats and surveillance policy. This includes policy preparedness and response to disease outbreaks such as avian influenza. He has also been heavily involved with the avian influenza vaccination task force.
Dr Christine Middlemiss CB BVMS MRCVS
UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)
Dr. Christine Middlemiss CB BVMS MRCVS is the UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), appointed in March 2018. She serves as the government’s principal adviser on animal health, welfare, and biosecurity, leading national responses to major disease outbreaks such as avian influenza and bovine tuberculosis.
Raised on a beef and sheep farm in the Scottish Borders, Christine graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School and began her career as a mixed-practice veterinarian in Scotland and northern England. She later joined the Animal Health Agency (now part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency), progressing through senior roles in animal traceability, surveillance, and disease control policy at Defra.
From 2016 to 2018, she was Chief Veterinary Officer for New South Wales, Australia, where she led biosecurity reforms and modernised animal health systems. Returning to the UK, she succeeded Nigel Gibbens as CVO, where she now oversees disease preparedness, animal welfare, and the professional development of government veterinarians.
In recognition of her leadership and service, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2023 New Year Honours.
Ian Lowery PGCert ILHP BVetMed MRCVS
Crowshall Veterinary Services
Ian Lowery is a veterinary surgeon with a strong background in poultry health, biosecurity, and water systems management. After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College he started work in a mixed rural practice in Derbyshire before moving to a dairy practice in Kent. In 2009 Ian started work at Crowshall Veterinary Services later becoming a Director.
Ian holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Intensive Livestock Health Planning (PGCert ILHP) and has recently completed a doctorate thesis on the impact of drinking water quality on broiler performance.
As the consultant veterinarian to the British Egg Industry Council, Ian offers advice on policy matters and case management in order to maximise food safety and sustainability through the egg supply chain.
Over his career, Ian has developed extensive expertise in poultry health and production, with a particular focus on preventative disease management following “One Health” principals. His work integrates veterinary science, laboratory services and economic modelling to enhance animal welfare, optimise productivity, and reduce antimicrobial dependence.
Ian’s research interests include water hygiene in intensive livestock systems, interaction between management practices and disease ecology and complex modelling for the impact of disease on farm profitability. He is an advocate for evidence-based interventions that improve both economic and ethical outcomes in modern farming.
In addition to his professional and research work, Ian currently contributes to the profession through his roles in the Primary Breeder Group which operates to open and maintain export markets, and also on the cross-government Avian Influenza Vaccination Taskforce which recently published its report outlining the UK’s position on vaccination against Avian Influenza.
Dr Jules Taylor-Pickard
Technical Director, Technology Group, Alltech
Dr Jules Taylor-Pickard is the Alltech Technical Director, implementing technologies, services and support globally and ensuring optimal commercial opportunities. Taylor-Pickard also directs the European commercial and research strategies, provides technical support to the sales force, initiates and supports multi species research activities, all aimed at providing innovative solutions to optimise animal performance and efficiency. Jules has been with Alltech for 21 years and previous roles held include Global Gut Health Director, Global MYCOSORB® Manager and Pig Technical Manager for Europe. Dr Jules Taylor-Pickard obtained her Ph.D. specialising in piglet gut health, physiology and immunity.
Angie Curtis
CEO, RoboScientific Limited
Angie Curtis is Chief Executive of Roboscientific Limited, an agritech company developing sensing technology using Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to automatically and non-invasively detect disease in livestock by sampling the air. Since joining as Sales Director in 2016, Angie has led collaborations with farmers, pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturers to create affordable tools that improve animal health and productivity. Working with APHA, she aims to develop an early warning system for Avian Influenza. Angie is keen to connect with free-range egg farmers interested in trialling this technology to enhance flock health and egg quality.
Nick Allen
CEO, British Egg Industry Council (BEIC)
Nick Allen joined the British Egg Industry Council in April 2025 as Chief Executive. He was previously CEO of Berry Gardens, a co-operative of soft and stone fruit growers with a turnover of over £300 million. Berry Gardens supplied fruit from its UK grower members and overseas partners to all major UK retailers, as well as the food service and wholesale sectors. Nick spent over 20 years with Berry Gardens, joining from the accountancy firm KPMG in 2003. During his time there, he held senior roles as Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer before becoming CEO in 2019.
Lewis Acred
Supply Chain Fairness Lead, DEFRA
Lewis Acred is a Senior Policy Adviser at Defra. He has been leading work reviewing fairness in the supply chain in the egg and fresh produce sectors since June 2023. He joined the department in 2020, initially leading on reforms to Countryside Stewardship and then working on the 2022 Government Food Strategy. Lewis previously worked at the Department for International Trade, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Department for Work and Pensions, having joined the Civil Service from the private sector in 2017.
Sharon Chisolm
Agri-Food Industry Advisor, Environment Agency
Sharon is an experienced environmental specialist with over 25 years working across agriculture, both in the UK and abroad. Currently serving as an Agri-Food Industry Advisor at the Environment Agency, Sharon brings deep expertise in environmental regulation, pollution prevention, and sustainable farming practices.
Her career has included extensive work with farmers, advisors, and the wider industry to promote best practice and compliance with environmental standards. More recently, she has worked with the poultry sector on manure and nutrient management and is currently collaborating with BFREPA to develop environmental guidance for free-range egg producers.
Sharon holds BASIS Soil and Water and FACTS Nutrient Management qualifications, reflecting her strong interest in soil health and nutrient stewardship. Her practical insights and strategic perspective make her a valuable contributor to discussions on sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience.
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