New bird flu benefit scheme launched for Chippindale egg producers

Published on : 17 Nov 2025

Chippindale Foods has partnered with NFU Mutual to offer egg producers additional protection as the industry heads into another difficult avian influenza season.

The North Yorkshire-based brand, part of the Myton Food Group, has introduced a benefit arrangement that provides 180 days of business interruption cover, along with support towards secondary cleaning and disinfection costs. The scheme, launched in September, is designed to give producers greater security at a time when AI continues to disrupt farms across the UK.

To help make the cover more accessible, Chippindale Foods will fund 50% of the insurance cost, easing pressure on producer finances and offering reassurance as disease risk remains high.

“As we head into another avian influenza season, we know all too well how devastating outbreaks can be for our industry,” said Harriet Hirst, senior sourcing and sales manager for eggs at Chippindale Foods. “By sharing the responsibility, we’re helping our producers build resilience and safeguard both livelihoods and supply continuity, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

So far this season, 45 cases of HPAI H5N1 have been confirmed across the UK: 35 in England, one in Scotland, six in Wales, and three in Northern Ireland. Wales recently introduced a housing order, following England and Northern Ireland, while Scotland remains the only devolved nation without one despite pressure from the sector for a unified UK approach.

The new partnership has been welcomed by Gary Ford, head of strategy and producer engagement at the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA). He described it as a “much-needed step” at a time when many free-range producers continue to face uncertainty.

“With avian influenza continuing to cause significant disruption across the free-range sector, meaningful and accessible benefit arrangement options are essential,” he said. “This kind of proactive support gives producers renewed confidence when it’s needed most.”