Kevin Ayres was presented with the British Poultry Council's distinguished service award by Jonathan Shaw MP, a junior minister at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Kevin has worked in the poultry industry for over 30 years and helped pioneer the introduction of Devonshire Red chicken in the South-West.
He said: "This award is a great surprise and a great honour.
"Really it's a reflection of the team I worked with at Lloyd Maunder in Tiverton and our collective achievements."
Kevin Ayres (left) is pictured with Jonathan Shaw