Facts

The British Poultry Council hit back at Mr Johnson’s claim, rejecting the idea  that the soaring price of chicken is a result of global energy prices. The Poultry Council blamed post-Brexit trade prices and skills shortages for the spike in production costs. 

Writing on Twitter, it said: “It is not ‘mainly fuel’ that's the problem, as PM said in his @GMB interview. It is everything. Input costs like water, labour, energy & feed are all. Combined with trade barriers, shipping delays for machinery plus a skills shortage (vets & lorry drivers), this all adds a cost that has to be recovered through the marketplace.  With ongoing Brexit pressures, plus bird flu & war in [Ukraine], BPC members face immense challenges. If this country is going to be food secure, we require a fair system that supports UK food producers  – something this Government has repeatedly failed to acknowledge since 1st January 2021 at the detriment of British poultry meat businesses.”

Verdict

Boris Johnson’s attempt to blame the soaring price of chickens on global energy prices on breakfast TV was swiftly demolished by industry experts. 

We approached Boris Johnson's office, No10 Press Office and the Cabinet Office to give them a chance to comment, but received no response.