During 2012, ABN and RASE conducted a survey of 220 previous visitors to the Pig & Poultry Fair and LIVE, including producers, processors, retailers, food service suppliers and professional bodies, and asked them to rate which issues were "most important" to them.

The results showed a good spread of respondents across all the sectors, and reassuringly all sectors deemed the same key issues as the "most important". Topping the results was animal welfare, closely followed by people and recruitment, in particular recruiting people of the right calibre and how motivation and employee engagement can impact on profit. These two key issues will be tackled head on at the event in May, with delegates able to take part in important industry discussion.

Commenting on the survey and event, CEO of AB Agri and speaker in the afternoon session David Yiend said: "The information gathered by the survey has been fundamental to the planning of Pig and Poultry LIVE, and will ensure an event that tackles some critical industry challenges. The new more informal afternoon session will really bring the issues alive for delegates and allow them to have their say. We firmly believe that by addressing what is important to the people within the pig & poultry sectors, we can contribute to a more stable and profitable future for our industry."

The morning session will be a challenging debate, Welfare; science or perception, what's our future? with key stakeholders speaking including Peter Kendall, NFU President. A networking lunch will give delegates plenty of opportunity to continue the debate and take in the many trade stands, and this will be followed by a new-format afternoon session. The cafe-style discussion Innovation in people; securing our future will feature a line-up of proven industry innovators including AB Agri's David Yiend, and John Ryan, CEO of Great Place to Work will draw on experience from outside agriculture, which is certain to create an inspirational and thought-provoking discussion.

Pig & Poultry LIVE will for the first time take place in Halls 1 and 2 at Stoneleigh Park, offering delegates an up to date, spacious venue as well as affording extra capacity following the sell-out event in 2011. For more information on the topical and innovative new programme, please visit www.pigandpoultry.org.uk

Tickets will be on sale in March 2013.