Animal Health Cost Sharing Proposals

UK - Controversial Government proposals for cost sharing in the animal health sector will come under scrutiny at a conference to be held in Hexham on the eve of Beef Expo 2010.

5 May 2010

3 minute read

Europe

The conference is being organised by the National Beef Association and will be held in Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre on Wednesday, May 26, between 4.00pm and 6.00pm as a prelude to Beef Expo 2010 which takes place the following day at Hexham Auction Mart.

Earlier in the day, up to 300 delegates will visit two Northumberland beef farms before returning to the conference venue which will also host the pre-event dinner for 400 delegates that evening.

Main speaker at the conference will be Rosemary Radcliffe, independent chair of the Animal Health Responsibility and Cost Sharing Programme Advisory Group, which has been set up to advise on how best to develop the independent body which will oversee responsibility and cost sharing. Ms Radcliffe will also address one of the seminars at Beef Expo 2010 the following day.

Formerly chief economist in Europe with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ms Radcliffe carried out the review of the agricultural levy boards in 2005 which recommended their merger into what is now the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

“The share of the cost of animal health measures which DEFRA wishes to impose on the industry is a controversial issue which is giving farmers a great deal of concern at the present time,” said Scott Donaldson, chairman of the Beef Expo 2010 organising committee.

“Ms Radcliffe’s comments will be of particular interest in the light of the outcome of the General Election.”

The advisory group’s recommendations are due to be submitted to Ministers in November.

The other speakers at the conference will be Stuart Ashworth, head of economic services at Quality Meat Scotland, who will outline the economic trends and opportunities for UK beef, and Cumbrian farmer, John Geldard, former Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year, who has pioneered the food hub concept by supplying a range of locally-produced food products to ASDA from his Plumgarth farm shop in the Lakelands food park at Kendal.

The conference will be followed that evening by the pre-event dinner in the Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, which will be attended by 400 beef farmers and industry professionals from throughout the UK. There has been a strong demand for tickets and already 340 tickets have been sold.

“Anyone requiring tickets for the dinner should get in touch with me right away as we expect a sell-out,” said Beef Expo 2010 organiser, Euan Emslie.

The beef for the dinner is being sponsored by Peter Jones Livestock Ltd of Tarporley, Cheshire, and the after-dinner speaker will be well-known local entertainer, Charlie Rutherford.

The three finalists for the National Beef Association/Farmers Guardian “Beef Stockman of the Future” award will be announced at the dinner and this will be followed by a charity auction and raffle with proceeds going to the Great North Air Ambulance Service and ARC Addington Fund respectively.

Tickets for the conference only are available at £5.88 (incl VAT) and for the conference and dinner £36 (incl VAT) from Euan Emslie, Organiser, Beef Expo 2010, 3 Briar Close, Newport, Brough, East Yorkshire. HU15 2QH. Tel: 01430 441870. Fax: 01430 448432. E-mail: [email protected]