On behalf of incoming Club Chairman, Chris Riddle, we are pleased to enclose an update on the activities of The Smithfield Forum and an invitation to join us at a major conference in London in March.
The Smithfield Forum
The Forum is returning the Club to one of its original objectives, which is to work for the benefit of the public, promoting best practice in the production of quality livestock for the British Meat Industry. This role was very effectively delivered in the past by The Show at Earls Court, but we now live in a different time, so must be smarter and more dynamic in order to deliver these messages to an ever more sceptical audience.
Vegans and environmentalists are bombarding the press and media with claim after claim, very few of which are being challenged. Most of these claims use international processes, standards and production systems to attack the UK's production methods. This clearly does not represent current practice in the UK, but just saying it is not true is not enough; we need credible, scientifically-based facts to counter many of the challenges being thrown at the British Red Meat Industry.
In September 2018, we held our first meeting with some of the major stakeholders of the Red Meat Industry, gaining unanimous support to go ahead and launch the Forum. We did this by kind invitation of Baroness Byford at the House of Lords in January last year, again receiving support from those present which included our President The Countess of Wessex, Peers, Members of Parliament and industry leaders from throughout the United Kingdom.
In March, at the next meeting of The Smithfield Forum Strategy Group, again supported by our President and senior representatives of the Red Meat Industry, we were given clear direction and objectives to focus our activities. These were to encourage:-
· A joined-up approach from the entire industry in promoting The British Red Meat brand, creating a point of difference for the United Kingdom.
· The publishing of scientific work demonstrating the true carbon/environmental footprint of UK Red Meat production, as opposed to the global figures currently used.
· The levy boards to carry out desktop research to identify what work, if any, has been completed to support the economic benefit of grazing livestock for environmental enhancement.
· Wider and more efficient promotion of red meat to the consumer, focusing on the UK’s leading position in animal welfare, production standards, healthy eating, environment, sustainability and eating quality, communicating this message consistently to consumers wherever they are.
In June, we met at the Highland Show and confirmed our next steps, which included a clear message that the Forum should engage with the major retailers. This we have done with considerable support from our now Immediate Past President, The Countess of Wessex, for which we are very grateful.
To maintain the progress of The Forum, we will be heavily involved with a conference on 17th March in London, which is being independently run and promoted as Rethink - The Sustainable Truth about British Livestock, and will be the authoritative event on this subject – full details are given below.
The Forum has achieved a considerable amount in a short time and is moving at quite a pace. We are very grateful to all those who have supported it through hosting or attending our events, participating or speaking at meetings and being supportive to the concept.
The Royal Smithfield Club has committed considerable reserves to the creation of The Smithfield Forum, but to be able to continue we now need to seek funds through subscriptions for membership of the Forum Group, donations to the Smithfield charity and grant funding.
Rethink Conference
The Smithfield Forum, in partnership with AHDB, HCC and the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) are to run:
“Rethink – the Sustainable Truth about British Livestock”
on Tuesday 17th March 2020 at 30, Euston Square, London.
The upcoming Rethink Forum is an invitation-only event with a limited number of tickets available for purchase. It will gather industry leaders, journalists, influencers and Government policy makers together with scientists and experts on both sides of the climate change debate. BBC journalist and Countryfile presenter Tom Heap will be chairing the event and ensuring we have a balanced exchange of scientific opinions.
We aim to demonstrate the impacts of different farming systems from across the globe and their impact on climate change. We also want to make it easier to navigate the mass of opinions, pseudo-science and genuine science that is currently shaping ordinary people’s choices about what they should and shouldn’t be consuming.
To book your ticket visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethink-the-sustainable-truth-about-british-livestock-tickets-83584213633?discount=74GENR94201 .
If you require any further information please email John Dracup john@royalsmithfieldclub.co.uk and do please save the date in your diary.
For more information, check out the www.rethinkforums.org website.
I hope you will be able to join us on 17 March. Tickets cost £80 + VAT and include lunch and the opportunity to meet the influencers and industry players at the centre of the meat and climate debate.