We are stronger when we work together

I’m thrilled and proud to have been appointed as the new CEO of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA). My background in having worked in the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Defra and overseas in establishing EU compliant agricultural systems and supply chains has given me a love and respect for the meat sector alongside an understanding of its importance to us as a nation.

These are exciting times for the meat industry. Globally, demand for meat is rising to meet an ever-increasing population. Consumers are increasingly prioritising protein, nutritional density, taste, satiety and naturalness when making purchasing decisions, with meat recognised by consumers and supported by a growing body of research as a nutrient-dense source of high-quality protein and key nutrients. This remains particularly relevant in public health discussions around balanced diets and nutrient adequacy, especially for children and more vulnerable groups. Against this backdrop, meat sales volumes remain resilient overall, with many shoppers increasingly moving between protein sources rather than abandoning meat entirely.

But they are also dangerous times for our industry. The start of a new job has provided time to reflect on both the challenges and opportunities currently facing the industry, but also to look forward to how these might be tackled and resolved. I’m a firm believer that we need to confront those challenges and opportunities strategically as an industry by working collaboratively across the whole supply chain and through active engagement with Government, parliamentarians, the media and academia.

The challenges are plenty: the fall in livestock numbers threatening our self-sufficiency and food security while increasing our longer-term dependence on imports; attracting skilled workers into our industry; how we comply with the EU’s proposals on deforestation without compromising our EU beef export market. And while the list doesn’t stop here, a key priority must be to ensure our borders are secure. To avoid the devastating effects on our livestock industry of an outbreak of African swine fever or foot and mouth disease, BMPA will focus on how best to tackle the illegal import of meat and meat products and strengthen the country’s biosecurity.

But there are opportunities, too. A significant SPS agreement between the UK and the EU would reduce the cost burden on our exports to the EU and improve our competitiveness. We still produce the best quality meat in the world and access to new markets and expansion into existing markets must continue to be our aim, noting the challenges of falling livestock numbers. Finally, through our engagement with the media and working with organisations such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Red Tractor, we will continue to promote the health and nutritional benefits of eating meat regularly as part of a balanced diet.

In closing, I’m confident that the meat sector continues to be a vital part of an enormously important industry that feeds the nation and beyond, produces food to the highest health, welfare and environmental standards in the world, and provides skilled employment opportunities for many. While challenges remain, we are stronger when we work together to confront them. I’m committed to this and am excited to be working with colleagues across the supply chain to deliver change and long-term success.