‘I’ve never known it like this’ – the UK’s struggle to get the Christmas turkey to the table

Poultry farmers and meat processors have struggled to cope due to Covid- and Brexit-induced staff shortages. But help may soon be at hand

These are not just turkeys, these are the Rolls-Royce of turkeys". Landowner Robert Wynn, Lord Newborough, is gazing out over the rolling hills and green fields of his organic farm of the Rhug Estate near Corwen in north Wales, where the birds lead a suitably luxurious life, eating organic oats, beans and peas and listening to classical music.

The Thanksgiving and Christmas tables of local families, upmarket London restaurants and even exclusive Hong Kong hotels depend on receiving one of his 1,300 Norfolk Bronze and Hockenhull Black birds in time for their festive meal.