Reaction to Vion’s UK exit

Posted on Nov 20, 2012

Following Meat Management’s breaking news yesterday that Vion UK is to sell its UK food operations industry reaction has been flooding in. Nigel Miller, NFU Scotland’s president, said: “This news will come as a real shock to Vion UK’s employees, suppliers and customers. Vion has a diverse operation in the UK, encompassing chicken and red meat in Scotland. The Scottish food and farming sector is still getting to grips with the firm’s...

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Dates set for Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week 2013

Posted on Nov 20, 2012

The seventh annual Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week is to run from 18th- 24th March 2013. Run by BPEX, the week will encourage consumers to ‘think again about bacon’ by providing a showcase for the quality and variety of bacon produced today, such as that identified by the Red Tractor mark. There will be a host of activity run nationwide to raise awareness of Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week and help bacon makers, retailers and foodservice outlets...

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Beef exports on the menu in Hong Kong

Posted on Nov 20, 2012

Officials, meat importers, restaurateurs and journalists in Hong Kong were treated to a beef reception last week to mark a historic agreement with Great Britain. It celebrated the fact that beef rib cuts and other specified bone-in products can now be exported to Hong Kong from Britain, and showcased Quality Standard beef to potential importers. The dinner, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, was hosted by EBLEX with Secretary of State Owen...

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Avoid over finishing of lamb to maximise returns

Posted on Nov 20, 2012

Lamb producers are being urged by EBLEX to target the market and select stock for slaughter carefully to appeal to the broadest market and maximise returns. EBLEX said autumn and winter-slaughtered lambs have a tendency to be over-fat, so avoiding over finishing is key. AHDB Market Intelligence/EBLEX forecasts for the sheep sector highlight that, following the further disruption to the finishing of lambs in 2012, the final slaughter...

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Another major cash boost for livestock skills

Posted on Nov 20, 2012

Advanced training for farmers in livestock skills is to get a £400,000 national boost under Defra’s £20m Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The news marks a triple livestock success, this autumn, for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) under RDPE. Last month, the levy board secured more than £1m of RDPE funding to invest in developing skills in animal health and welfare, with special focus given to...

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