The National Farmers Union (NFU) has said that it is “saddened” by the resignation of Stuart Roberts as an AHDB board member and sector chairman, adding that it’s for the industry to decide on the organisation’s future strategy and funding programme.
“I am saddened to hear that Stuart Roberts has resigned from his role as chairman of the AHDB beef and lamb sector board,” said NFU livestock board chairman, Charles Sercombe. “I understand that he has taken this action on the principle that levy payers should determine how levies are spent.”
While focusing on the “anger” being felt by beef and lamb producers over the fact that promotional funding for the sectors by AHDB “has not been approved by Government”, Mr Sercombe (pictured above) went on to make a broader, all-species point.
“It is totally unacceptable for a whole planned marketing campaign to be put in jeopardy by Government dithering and delay,” he said.
“The Secretary of State has said that she will do all she can to help the agricultural sector during a time of critically low prices. It is vital that measures like levy-funded trade development and the promotion of peak season lamb to the British public are available.
“For the NFU it is a fundamental point of principle that levy payers should decide how their levy money is spent.
“AHDB is about to set its future strategy. This must be done with full consultation and discussion with our industry.”