Over the last two decades poultry prices have risen at the slowest rate of 35 different food categories.

This means that together with a huge variety of different products, from whole birds to ready-to-cook meals, consumers have more choice and great value, according to Timetric's report.

The increasing preference for a smaller bird size is a topic in the news recently and people have asked about the farming methods used.

Bird welfare is based on the skill and passion shown by our farmers in their approach to poultry husbandry. Their excellent work is supported by the Red Tractor assurance scheme, the only standards that cover every element of production from hatch to slaughter.

Stocking density is one part of the overall approach and the Red Tractor standard here is 38 kg per sq. m. (compared to the UK legal limit of 39, and the EU limit of 42).

In the hands of skilled farmers the birds have sufficient space for healthy and consistent growth, and the outcome is affordable and wholesome food on supermarket shelves.

The industry has a proven record of bird welfare within its holistic standards and we are among the world leaders in this respect. BPC members are committed to providing everything a bird needs including sufficient light, warmth, water, food, and most of all top quality husbandry.

The consumer can be confident that this British industry, which provides around half of all meat eaten in the UK, produces poultry to be proud of.

More information about the standards we adhere to can be found on the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme website.