Powell Insurance developed product in response to challenges facing egg farmers
Liverpool-based broker, Powell Insurance, has announced the addition of voluntary slaughter cover to its comprehensive range of insurance products developed for the poultry industry. The cover is believed to be the first cover of its type available and has been developed in response to the additional challenges facing egg producers as the EU Zoonosis Regulations for commercial laying flocks come into force.
The regulation, which went live on 1 January, seeks to exclude eggs from salmonella positive flocks from entering the retail channel and stands to leave poultry farmers financially exposed should their flocks become infected. While eggs from infected flocks can be heat treated to make them suitable for sale it is seldom economically viable, leaving voluntary slaughter as the only practical option. No form of compensation is currently available to producers affected by salmonella.
Powell's cover is for the voluntary slaughter of poultry following positive tests for salmonella. The cover indemnifies the producer for the value of the birds at the time of the loss and covers free range, barn and caged birds. Cover is available for flocks of 5000 birds and above only and is subject to a site survey, underwriting and an agreed salmonella action plan. There is no upper limit to the cover.
The cover is available in addition to Powell's existing cover for diseases which can also be extended to include Newcastle’s Disease and Avian Influenza.
Andy Dutton, business development manager at Powell Insurance comments: “We have worked closely with the poultry industry to develop an insurance product that gives additional protection to egg producers as the Zoonosis Regulations come into play. While cover for natural death and named disease is common place, we believe that we are the first broker to provide cover for voluntary slaughter in the event of salmonella infection.
“Flocks can typically include as many as 50,000 birds, with each bird valued at around £3.50, so the costs incurred from voluntary slaughter can be very significant – even business threatening. This cover allows producers to replace their stock of birds quickly and with minimal losses.”
