Meat Management has clarified that a current Defra exercise seeking levy payer opinion on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will include views from the meat industry.
Defra is in the process of gathering industry opinion on AHDB and recently released an announcement stating “farmers, growers, processors and industry representatives are being asked for their views”. Views can be submitted online here.
However, comments within the announcement from AHDB’s chief executive Jane King and Food Minister George Eustice only referred to farmers and growers.
King said: “We welcome this opportunity to gain feedback from farmers and growers, and to help the industry compete in a global marketplace as the country prepares to leave the EU.”
Eustice added: “The AHDB collects around £60 million a year in statutory levy from farmers and growers and currently uses that money for a range of purposes to support these sectors.”
As neither comment made any reference to levy payers further down the supply chain, Meat Management contacted AHDB for clarification.
The press office confirmed that “anyone is able to give views” and “processors pay levy so it is of interest down the supply chain to retail level”.
As we leave the EU, Defra states there is an opportunity to ensure that the sectors AHDB covers are as competitive as possible. This review will look at the AHDB’s purpose and priorities, its strengths and where improvements could be made.
This is a joint 10-week exercise covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The request for views will close on 9th November.
Industry members and levy payers interested in submitting views can complete the online survey by clicking here.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
