Task Force for England Being Considered
UK - In its submission to the Environment select committee, Pig World proposed an English pig industry task force, chaired by a high-profile figure, which would seek to:- Give producers confidence to invest in the future of the industry.
- Persuade retailers to adopt a more strategic approach to domestic supply chains.
- Encourage all public institutions to source pigmeat that complies with United Kingdom welfare standards.
- Use the task force’s deliberations as a publicity vehicle for English pork and pork products.
This proposal, which follows the forming of a government and industry task force in Scotland, was pursued by the select committee when it took oral evidence from producers and proccessors.
Stroud MP David Drew (Labour) asked whether a Scottish-style taskforce would be useful in England.
Yes it would, said BPEX chief executive Mick Sloyan, particularly if it included people from outside the industry - as had happened in Scotland - who could bring fresh views and suggest ways of improving the industry.
On the same theme, Stuart Roberts, director of British Meat Processors Association, suggested the committee look at the Northern Ireland Red Meat Task Force, because something similar in England could be used to look in depth at costs and margins in the industry.