Pig and Poultry Fair Carries an Upbeat Message
UK - This year's British Pig & Poultry Fair saw the food supply chain uniting to deliver positive messages for the future as producers, processors, retailers and feed manufacturers linked up for the first time to address market challenges together.There was an audible buzz of optimism among the visitors as they descended on more than 240 exhibitors to see what was on offer at the two-day Fair, to help them improve their businesses.
Even Sustainable Food and Farming Minister Jeff Rooker noted that he was “uplifted” by the number of young producers he had met who had faith in the future when addressing a special “industry lunch” at the Fair to facilitate networking across the whole supply chain on Tuesday, May 13th.
There was standing room only at the Fair’s keynote “Great Feed Debate,” which included speakers from the retail, processing and animal feed sectors, as well as producers and saw vigorous discussion on high feed prices and supply chain management, as well as meat quality and changing consumer demands.
This was the highlight of an extremely well-attended Forum and Workshop programme, which included stimulating debate on a range of important issues facing the industry, including planning, legislation, animal health and future opportunities.
Organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and partnered by leading monogastric animal feed company Associated British Nutrition (ABN) at Stoneleigh Park on May 13th and 14th, the Fair also provided a showcase for all the latest equipment and ideas developed to help the whole industry move forward.
A range of new products were launched during the event to make life easier for producers. They included a new productivity monitoring service for piggeries, as well as a new terminal boar, bred to meet the challenges of modern production.
New products for poultry producers at the Fair included the latest enriched cage models designed for UK conditions and a multi-strain probiotic feed additive to protect chicks against colonization by harmful bacteria.
With an increase in numbers to 8943 people attending the Fair this year, Event Manager Alice Bell said: “Focusing on the whole food supply chain for the first time was obviously the right way to go and will, I hope, help provide both the pig and poultry sectors with the information needed to adapt successfully to meet future demands.”
ABN managing director Alan Murphy said: “As Fair Partners, we have been very encouraged by the positive messages we have heard at the Fair this year. It’s obvious the whole chain is determined to work together to meet the challenges both today and in the future.”
British Pig Executive (BPEX) Chief Executive Mick Sloyan commented: "Despite the difficulties facing the industry, it was one of the best Pig Fairs for a number of years from BPEX’s point of view. The stand was very busy both days and there were high levels of confidence being expressed."
Peter Bradnock, Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council, which held a successful producer briefing with the Food Standards Agency and the NFU on reducing nicarbazin residues in chickens at the Fair, said: “There was a good positive air among producers there and we were pleased to see so many of them following up on emerging trends in the market place.”
Meanwhile, James Hook, of PD Hook Hatcheries, who chaired the Great Feed Debate, said: “I think the British Pig & Poultry Fair was an excellent event this year. It was one of the best Fairs I have attended in recent times.”