A hatchery manager trainer who has played a pivotal role in the global poultry industry has been honoured at a House of Commons event.

Steve Tweed of poultry research company Cobb scooped a 2013 British Poultry Council (BPC) Distinguished Service Award. He was presented with the accolade by Food and Farming Minister George Eustice MP and BPC Chairman John Reed.

Mr Eustice praised the “dedication and passion for their work” displayed by award winners.

Mr Tweed, of Bury St Edmunds, joined the poultry industry in 1966 and has been with Cobb for more than 20 years. He has travelled the world providing technical hatchery support and expertise in all areas of incubation.

“Steve has played a pivotal role within both the UK and the global poultry industry with the development of modern incubation practices,” said Mr Reed.

“Throughout his career, his enthusiasm and drive helped find new and innovated management practices to improve hatchery operation. He was also able to make complicated hatchery ventilation principals understandable at the operation level in the hatchery,” he said.

“His dedication and patience in training hatchery managers and staff are outstanding and Steve is known for never saying no to a customer request regardless of where in the world that need was.”