Simon Watchorn, who runs a 600-sow outdoor breed-to-finish unit in Suffolk, has been appointed to the BPEX board.
Involved in the industry for the last 20 years, Mr Watchorn will begin his new role on January 1.
“The main issue is for the industry to remain able to demonstrate clearly to our customers that the pork they are to purchase comes from British farms, is assured, produced to a very high standard by farmers who really care about producing pork and is aimed at giving them a repeatable great eating experience,” he said.
“There will always be disease challenges, constant demands from both the UK government and the EU for more legislation. This will need to be managed, in close conjunction with the NPA. The volatility in the buying of food will never be far away.”
Mr Watchorn, who is also currently a director of Thames Valley Cambac, is a former member of the NPA producer group and was part of the industry’s Real Welfare review group.
BPEX chairman Stewart Houston commented: “It is great to have Simon on board. He has worked with the NPA and understands the issues facing the industry. He is in a position to make a valuable and positive contribution to BPEX.”
