NFU President, Meurig Raymond, who farms 3,500 acres in Pembrokeshire will share his thoughts on the future of the British livestock industry. He became a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in 2000 and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2005 for his services to agriculture and elected President of the NFU earlier this year.

Acclaimed writer, broadcaster and food critic, Jay Rayner [pictured above], will deliver a talk based on his 2013 book, A Greedy Man in a Hungry World. Combining hard-nosed reporting with witty memoir, he will take the audience on a journey through the world’s edible landscape, looking at how and what we eat.

Beth Hart, Head of Technical for fresh foods at Sainsbury’s, who is responsible for the Sainsbury’s quality, innovation and agricultural agenda, will provide the retail perspective and an update on the 20×20 sustainability plan. She will draw on over 20 years’ experience in the food and retail industry, having worked for Marks & Spencer, Mars, Safeway and Diageo across technical, innovation, marketing and corporate social responsibility.

All three talks will blend perfectly with the theme of this year’s conference – ‘Making pork fit for farm and fit for fork’.

JSR Chairman, Tim Rymer, will introduce the theme and welcome guests. The conference will open with JSR’s Head of Technology Transfer, Stephen Waite followed by JSR’s Director of Meat Science, Caroline Mitchell. Both will brief delegates on the positive progress that has been made at JSR in both areas in the past year. All three will share their thoughts on what lies ahead for the industry.

Tim Rymer said: “It’s been a busy year at JSR and this conference will reflect that. We have secured an excellent line up of exceptional speakers and key opinion formers from throughout the pork supply chain. I look forward to welcoming them to what will undoubtedly be one of our most exciting conferences in 25 years.”