SMITHFIELD FORUM STRATEGY GROUP UPDATE

SUMMARY OF THE MEETING OF THE STRATEGY GROUP OF THE SMITHFIELD FORUM HELD AT CHURCH HOUSE, WESTMINSTER, 20 MARCH 2019

 OVERVIEW

Following the launch of the Smithfield Forum at the House of Lords in January, it was agreed to hold quarterly follow-up meetings of a Strategy Group to identify four key issues that the Forum should focus on. With this in mind, four speakers were invited to give a summary of their organisation’s current activity and an overview of the issues and challenges they see facing the industry. The speakers were: Douglas Bell, Director of Strategic Engagement, QMS; Dr Owen Roberts, Communications Director, HCC/Meat Promotion Wales; James Wilde, Head of Media & PR, AHDB; and Jim Moseley, Chief Executive, Red Tractor. We were fortunate to have Stuart Roberts, Vice President, NFU to then give comments.

 FORWARD ACTIONS

After lengthy discussion, four key areas of activity were identified and agreed for future action:

·         A more joined-up approach from the entire industry in promoting the British Red Meat brand, creating a point of difference for the UK

·         To encourage the publishing of scientific work demonstrating the carbon/environmental footprint of red meat production as opposed to the global figures currently used

·         To request that the levy boards carry out a piece of desk-top research to identify what work, if any, has been completed to support the economic benefit of grazing livestock for environmental enhancement

·         To encourage 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

 HRH COUNTESS OF WESSEX PRESENTS BICENTENARY TROPHY

Joining us at the summary stage and contributing to the discussion was the Club’s President HRH The Countess of Wessex who went on to present the Royal Smithfield Bicentenary Trophy to Heather Jenkins, former Director of Waitrose, for her outstanding contribution to the British livestock industry over thirty years.

 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next Smithfield Forum Strategy Group Meeting is due to be held within the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh, 20th June 2019.

COUNTESS OF WESSEX IS NEW SMITHFIELD PRESIDENT. HOUSE OF LORDS FORUM PLOTS WAY FORWARD FOR RED MEAT SECTOR

HRH The Countess of Wessex is new President of The Royal Smithfield Club

House of Lords Forum plots way forward for livestock and red meat sector

 Club announces a range of initiatives for the coming year

HRH The Countess of Wessex (centre) pictured with (L-R) John Dracup Industry Strategy Director Royal Smithfield Club, Andrew Laughton Chief Executive National Beef Association, Prys Morgan Procurement Director Kepak-St Merryn, Tom Kirwan Chief Executive ABP, Robbie Galloway CEO Scotbeef, David Gunner Chief Executive Dovecote Park, Mark Allan Dawn/Dunbia, William Bedell Chairman Royal Smithfield Club

HRH The Countess of Wessex has become the new President of The Royal Smithfield Club. The Countess has become increasingly involved with the agricultural world in recent years and supports a number of farming organisations. Club Chairman William Bedell said: “We are honoured that Her Royal Highness has agreed to be our President and we look forward to working with her in what will be a year of important developments for the Club.”

In her first engagement as President of The Royal Smithfield Club, Her Royal Highness attended a red meat industry supply chain forum at the House of Lords, London, hosted by Baroness Byford and organised by the Club.

Speakers at the Smithfield Forum were (L-R) John Dracup Industry Strategy Director Royal Smithfield Club, Nick Allen Director British Meat Processors Association, David Gunner Chief Executive Dovecote Park, David Hall North West Regional Director NFU, Donald Biggar Club Trustee, Neil Gourlay Club Trustee

 The Forum, held to discuss key industry issues and how to address them, was attended by more than 70 representatives of the livestock and red meat sectors including key lobbying organisations, levy boards, Red Tractor and Farm Assurance schemes, processors, manufacturers, breed societies, genetics companies, and show societies.

Baroness Byford opens the Smithfield Forum pictured alongside William Bedell Club Chairman

 The event was the first of a series of initiatives by the Club that heralds a new era in which it will take on a more active and overarching sector role, and one which will go hand-in-hand with the Club’s core focus on promoting best practice in the production of quality livestock for the British meat industry.

Rt Hon Neil Parish MP

 West Country farmer John Dracup was introduced in his new role of Industry Strategy Director for the Club. Setting the scene at the Forum he said: “Our main aim is to unite the red meat supply chain to ensure a consistent message reaches our customers.

“In order to achieve this, we will be challenging and engaging with our industry, which will have to evolve considerably during the coming months and years.”

Smithfield Club Industry Strategy Director John Dracup

 Recognising that the industry is going through unprecedented change, combined with substantial challenges that need to be addressed, he said a stronger voice is needed.

“The industry already has a number of professional, proficient organisations operating well within their sector,” he said. “As an independent, credible voice the Royal Smithfield Club will provide a platform which brings everyone together, giving them the opportunity to freely discuss an industry position on key issues, specifically focusing on red meat.”

The Smithfield Forum held on 5th February at the House of Lords was attended by over 70 representatives of the British red meat supply chain

High among the issues discussed at the Forum was the impact of Brexit on UK livestock and meat industry business including the availability of non-UK labour, certification and control procedures for meat, and support payments to farmers. The range of issues and challenges faced by the UK red meat sector were addressed at the Forum by four keynote speakers: Nick Allen, Director British Meat Processors Association; David Gunner Chief Executive Dovecote Park; David Hall North West Regional Director NFU and Donald Biggar, Club Trustee followed by a summing- up from Neil Parish MP, Chairman of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee.

 Mr Dracup said: “Underlying all these issues are the continued pressures the industry faces on health, welfare and meat consumption, as well as concern that the messages around emissions are being misinterpreted and used for other agendas.

“The UK is producing to some of the highest animal welfare and meat production standards in the world, and we need to communicate this.”

 Mr Dracup’s new role will see him working with Richard Saunders who was appointed Secretary of the Club in succession to Geoffrey Burgess last summer. Mr Burgess has now taken on the role of Club Deputy President.

 Over the coming year the Club will be working to:

•    provide a credible commentary on the changes that are needed to ensure the red meat supply chain remains high quality and efficient

•    challenge regulations, laws and developments that are considered detrimental to the future development and direction of the sector

•    work with industry organisations, research bodies, scientists and universities both in the UK and around the world to raise awareness of new developments, initiatives and opportunities for the sector