NPA chairman Richard Lister has called for the supply chain to value its suppliers in 2017, while also urging the industry to stand firm against those who seek to ‘bully’ the industry over animal rights issues.
He also acknowledged that the year ahead will be dominated by the spectre of Brexit, with the country facing a “long and protracted negotiation” process.
“2016 saw more than its fair share of negative publicity from Animal Rights/Vegan Pressure Groups and I have no doubt this will be something that we have to live with and manage,” said Mr Lister (pictured above).
“As an industry we must not allow ourselves to be bullied by these people. We must maintain our standards and be rightfully proud of our Red Tractor standards.
“2017 also sees the start of target setting for our industry on the use of antibiotics. The O’Neil report has signified a quantum change for how we approach our herd health management and there will be a great deal of activity around this in the coming year.”
In the midst of all the various pressures, however, he stressed the imnportance for producers to be profitable in 2017.
“Whilst we hope the pound remains helpful, China keeps taking significant quantities of pork and EU production doesn’t increase, those are issues largely out of our control,” he said.
“What we really want is a supply chain that values its suppliers and recognises their contribution by paying a price that allows them to re-invest in their businesses.”