Three cluster leaders – Keith Huddlestone, Phil Stephenson and Rob Beckett – shared details of their local clusters' activities so far. This includes determining the locations of other units in their area, sharing contact details and establishing which are breeding herds and which have finishers only. The aims are to communicate more, share health information and discuss issues such as the source of purchased stock.

The need for the whole supply chain to work together as YHH heads into its second phase was also brought into focus. Ian Thompson explained how Easey manages its biosecurity. In particular, the firm works closely with hauliers to ensure wagon drivers are provided with boots and overalls when they arrive on farm and that wagons are disinfected to help prevent disease transmission.

Mark Wilson of Vion emphasised that producers and processors must work together to minimise health problems such as pleurisy, which slow down the line at the abattoir and incur extra processing costs.