13 May 2008
Buzz of optimism predominates as industries meet at Pig & Poultry Fair
There was an audible buzz of optimism resonating among producers, processors and retailers to the British Pig & Poultry Fair as it opened at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire today (May 13).
“I am quite uplifted by the number of young people I have met here who see a future in both the pig and poultry sectors,” said Farm Minister Lord Jeff Rooker after his whistle-stop tour of the Fair this morning.
Speaking at a special all-industry networking luncheon, Lord Rooker praised the sectors as “a shining example for the rest of the agricultural industry, which needs to follow its lead in moving closer to the market place”.
The Minister stressed the need for more informative labelling, which he claimed could help solve many of the problems producers were currently facing as far as traceability, welfare standards and imports ere concerned.
“My personal opinion is that labels should clearly state where animals begin life, where they are reared and where they are slaughtered and processed.”
Earlier, Alan Murphy, Managing Director of the major monogastric feed company Associated British Nutrition (ABN), who are partnering the Fair, urged producers to work more closely with feed manufacturers and raw material suppliers to ensure they bought feed at the right time and at the best possible price.
Speaking at the Fair’s innovative Great Feed Debate, Mr Murphy said that the whole supply chain, including processors and retailers needed to collaborate to improve supply chain efficiencies, drive costs down and add value to the end products.
He was supported by Adam Couch, of Cranswick Food Group, who pointed out that contracts needed to provide stability for both processors and producers.
Mr Couch added that his company had faith in the future of the British pig industry and was currently investing £10 million in new processing facilities in Yorkshire.
Representing the retail sector, Heather Jenkins, of Waitrose, said that collaboration was the key to a successful future for retailers, processors and producers.
The whole supply chain had to work together towards a common goal – a sustainable future for the country’s pig and poultry industries, she said.
Ends
Note to Editors:
The British Pig & Poultry Fair is the biennial event for the industries. Partnered by ABN and proudly presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Fair is taking place on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th May 2008 at Stoneleigh Park.
For further details and the latest Press information, please log on to www.pigandpoutlry.org.uk
Leading monogastric nutrition company ABN is partering the 2008 British Pig & Poultry Fair to demonstrate its commitment to the industry and its ability to deliver whole-chain solutions as a progressive forward-thinking and efficien business. ABN’s involvement at the event includes overall sponsorship of both the Fair and the seminar programmes, as well as trade stands in both the pig and poultry sections.
