Retailers, food businesses, farmers and marketing initiatives that have made a tangible difference to the free range sector in the past year will be recognised by the organisation.

A new ‘outstanding contribution to the industry’ category has been added for 2017 and the awards will all be presented at BFREPA’s annual conference in October.

BFREPA chairman James Baxter said: “Our awards, sponsored by Elanco, have recognised some truly outstanding individuals and businesses for their passion and commitment to support, grow and promote the free range egg market.

“But there are many more who deserve our recognition – individuals, restaurant owners, bakers, retailers and greengrocers can all be considered for an award.”

Booths Supermarkets won retailer of the year in 2016, for broadening consumers’ choice by growing its free range egg category through listing and promoting organic eggs.

The producer of the year awards went to Richard and Andy Higgins in Leicestershire, praised by judges for their excellent performance and attention to detail to restrict costs and be super-efficient, and Paul and Shelley Traves in Lincolnshire for what judges described as their ‘absolute passion’ for their birds.

Also in 2016, a special one-off free range champion award was given to Susie Macmillan, of The Macs Farm in East Sussex for her dedicated work on public engagement for the free range egg sector.

The eight categories seeking nominations are: Retailer of the Year, Food Business of the Year, Marketing Initiative of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year, Large Producer of the Year (more than 16,000 birds), Small Producer of the Year (fewer than 16,000 birds), Outstanding Contribution to Industry and a special Lifetime Achievement award.

The winners will be announced at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 5 October 2017.

Nominations for any of the eight categories must be submitted by 16 June 2017. To submit an entry, download an entry form from the BFREPA website.