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Representatives from across the beef, sheep and pig sectors got to grips with how new ideas can be introduced into the industry and how producers can be encouraged to make use of them.

Organisations at the workshop included Defra, the NFU, the Red Meat Industry Forum, the National Pig Association, British Pig Executive, National Beef Association, Quality Meat Scotland, National Sheep Association, Forward Farming, HGCA and the Milk Development Council.

With a range of speakers and discussions, the workshop concluded that:

• Market forces are key to driving new technology
  
  
• Farmers must be able to relate new technologies to their own businesses in order to use them
  
  
• Discussion groups and farm visits are effective ways of communicating technology messages.

Mike Attenborough, MLC Technical Director, said: "Everyone at the event agreed that helping the industry to understand and use science is key to future competitiveness."

Source: Meat and Livestock Commission - 5th May 2004