The British Poultry Council (BPC) has called for government intervention after a major 2 Sisters Food Group processing plant stopped production because of water supply restrictions.

The Willand facility in Devon, which processes between 900,000 and one million chickens each week, paused operations after its water supply fell below the level required to meet food safety and animal welfare standards.

2 Sisters said it had already reduced water consumption at the plant by almost 30 per cent, but could not safely operate below that level.

“The proposed restrictions being made on water supplies to our Willand poultry processing site will create a serious and immediate animal welfare risk,” a company spokesperson said.

Birds already travelling to the plant were processed, while some due to be handled at Willand are being redirected to other 2 Sisters facilities where welfare requirements allow.

However, the company warned that birds remaining on farms could face welfare problems if processing does not resume quickly.

2 Sisters is seeking a temporary increase in supply from South West Water while it establishes a tanker operation, which is expected to take between 24 and 36 hours.

The BPC has written to Defra ministers calling for water used for livestock welfare and food production to be prioritised during periods of scarcity.

BPC chief executive Richard Griffiths described the situation as “unconscionable” and warned that prolonged disruption could result in birds being culled without entering the food chain.

The trade body said fewer than 20 processing plants supply more than 90% of the chicken consumed in the UK, meaning disruption across several sites could have wider consequences for food security.

South West Water said it introduced emergency measures after high demand during the recent heatwave placed pressure on supplies in parts of Devon.

The supplier subsequently agreed to increase water flow and pressure to the Willand plant following a request from 2 Sisters.

It said its priorities were household supplies, public health, animal welfare and then business customers, according to Poultry News.

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