A row has broken out between Asda and British pig farmers after 
Kantar Worldpanel data appeared to show the retailer’s support of UK product fell sharply in the run-up 
to Christmas.


Processors are claiming a victory over the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the High Court, which they claim could see the agency refund or reduce charges to industry to the tune of £1m.



The FSA was challenged in the courts by 12 members of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) over issues surrounding the recovery of EU minima charges.

A leading foodservice supplier is upping its commitment to Red Tractor-assured products following significant sales rises in the last few months.

Vion Food has announced plans to sell its Winsford processing operations to Morrisons.

The deal will see the Cheshire-based meat processing site and all staff transfer to Farmers Boy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morrisons.

A row has erupted over meat passed fit for human consumption by meat inspectors being banned from the food chain.

Founder member of the abattoir trade body AIMS Sammy Morphet has slammed the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for a rule that condemns meat from emergency-slaughter animals, which have not been examined live by a vet.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has announced that Mike Whittemore has been appointed to the new position of trade team marketing manager for Eblex.

Sales of bacon and fresh pork products accelerated over the Christmas period as shoppers chose versatility and a relatively low price over other proteins, Cranswick has revealed.

Processing businesses big and small will be battling it out in Birmingham later in the year to claim top prizes in the prestigious Meat & Poultry Processing Awards.

Judging for the awards, which are organised by Meat Trades Journal, is now complete and three finalists are shortlisted in each category.

Tulip boss Steve Murrells is to return to retail after being appointed chief executive of the Co-operative Group’s food business.

Eblex has appointed three new board members to replace David Raine, John Hoskin and Peter Kingwill. Gwyn Williams, Paul Westaway and Howard Bates will take up their roles on 1 April 2012.

Frozen food retailer Iceland has recalled its own brand frozen lamb mince products as a precaution after salmonella was found in a test sample.

Premium pie brand Pieminister has signed a deal to support England Rugby sponsor 02 during the RBS Six Nations tournament.

Pig and poultry producers, processors and butchers are being given the chance to claim a £1,000 prize if they can come up with the latest innovation to drive the sector forward.

The ABN Innovation Award 2012, which is open to anyone with an idea for adding greater value to the industries, aims to highlight the very best ideas to help tackle some of the challenges currently being faced by the pig and poultry food production chain.

A leading meat association has accused the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of being “dramatic, divisive and misleading” by publishing out-of-date information in what amounts to a “league table” of meat plants.

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has reacted angrily to the FSA’s publication of its ‘cause for concern’ list, seeing it as “a deliberate act of aggression” against the meat industry.

Bpex has redesigned its website in a bid to make the it more accessible and easy to navigate.

2 Sisters’ holding company, Boparan Holdings, has announced strong sales momentum in its first-quarter trading, with revenues of £565m.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published the list of processors and abattoirs which it says fails to meet the required hygiene standard, and has committed to publish this on a weekly basis from now on.

The plants named are those deemed a “cause for concern” by the FSA on the basis of plant audit reports, which have been informed that they must put improvements in place to ensure that the required hygiene standards are met.

A new survey has found that 60% of consumers aged 18-24 would like more information when buying meat.

Bpex has announced a new head of marketing who will take up the position in April. 

Kirsty Walker is joining Bpex from Arthritis Research UK, where she was policy, communications and brand director. She will take on the role from Chris Lamb who is retiring at the end of February.

Leading meat processor Tulip is to shut its plant in Birkenhead, with the potential loss of 218 jobs.

The company stated that the cooked meat plant, which it acquired in November 2011 when it bought the Parkam Food Group, was “unable to address a number of operational and technical issues” at the loss-making facility and it would take too much of investment to bring it up to standard. 

Eblex has announced the date for this year’s Outlook Conference as Wednesday 2 May. The half-day event highlights economic and market information and forecasting for the pig, dairy and beef and lamb sectors, and is jointly hosted with Bpex and DairyCo.

The Scottish Executive has announced a £300,000 funding boost to encourage export growth in key European markets, as research reveals that the weak euro is decreasing the threat from cheap red meat imports.

Leading members of the meat industry have renewed their calls for an overhaul of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) auditing system for meat plants, following the news that the FSA has gone ahead with its controversial plans to publish audit reports of approved meat plants in England, Scotland and Wales.

The first tranche were published on Monday (16 January) and included more than 200 audits that have been completed since 1 November 2011. From now on, around 200 audits will be issued at the end of each month.

Scotch Beef is the biggest-selling Scottish food and drink brand in Great Britain, research has revealed. British sales of Scotch Beef have reached over £247m, surpassing all other food and drink brands from Scotland, Kantar Worldpanel said at a Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) marketing conference.

Northern Ireland meat business Hannan Meats has signed a major deal to supply pubs and restaurants across the north east of England, as part of its successful expansion into the north of England.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has changed its decision to deny Cranswick the right to export to China, after a local MP brought the issue to the Prime Minister’s attention.

The FSA had previously declared that the company’s Preston plant did not meet the requirements for the Chinese market, despite having won approval by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Leading meat-packing company Hilton Food Group reported a ‘solid’ performance in the UK and Ireland in the 52 weeks to 1 January 2012, despite the challenging trading conditions.

Chicken processor Faccenda has said it will create 347 new jobs if plans to extend its Telford factory are given the go-ahead.

The company has submitted a planning application for a 13,490m² extension to its existing 6,258m² factory at Hortonwood industrial estate. The extension would accommodate new cutting and portioning lines, chilled despatch warehousing and new administration and staff facilities.

Asda has seen a “significant” increase in meat sales following the decision to convert in-store butchery counters to carry the Butcher’s Selection branding, according to the company’s senior red meat trader Jim Viggars.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has gone ahead with its controversial plans to publish audit reports of approved meat plants in England, Scotland and Wales, with the first audits published on its website yesterday (16 January).

The first tranche included more than 200 audits that have been completed since 1 November 2011. From now on, around 200 audits will be issued at the end of each month.

A major British pork promotional campaign has entered its second phase, wth consumers being urged to ‘Eat Yourself Happy’.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced that its next open board meeting will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 24 January 2012.

Industry leaders have expressed reservations on the results of a study linking processed meat consumption with pancreatic cancer. The research compiled the results of 11 different papers, and found that consuming 50g of processed meat a day could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 19%.

Cured ham supplier Broadland Hams is now back in business after the fire that destroyed its Norwich plant in November. The company has relocated from Sweet Briar Industrial Estate to Little Melton Foodpark.

Pig bosses have launched a survey looking for views on the state of the industry across the board.

The industry has welcomed the greater commitment from government to increasing food exports, announced by the Secretary of State at the Oxford Farming Conference last week, as newly released figures show growth in meat exports leading the way.

The National Beef Association (NBA) Scotland is holding a meeting on CAP reform this week and has invited members of the Scottish Beef Cattle Association to participate, in the first move to unite the two bodies which represent beef farmers in Scotland.

The Pig Grading Information System (PiGIS) has won the Oxford Farming Conference/Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) Practice with Science award.

Lincolnshire Prime Meat Company has gone into administration due to financial difficulties that led to a £1.4m debt. Insolvency practitioners SFP has been appointed administrator and is currently trying to sell the business.

Eblex is urging producers to ensure that livestock being presented for slaughter meets cleanliness guidelines to avoid incurring additional hygiene controls that increase costs and lower returns.

A meat processor is to enter talks with staff following a proposal to shut down part of its Yorkshire-based operation.

The meat industry has hit back against calls from a former government advisor for a dramatic reduction in meat consumption to fight obesity and climate change.


Professor Tim Lang, who has advised the World Health Organisation and the Department for Environment on food policy, told The Telegraph that meat consumption was “out of control” and said people should return to the past tradition of saving meat for special occasions.

Leading canned meat manufacturer Princes has reported record sales in the year to 31 March 2011, with sales growing 8% to £1.184b, and a 5% increase in profit after tax. Annual sales outside the UK grew significantly, with international turnover up 40% to £225m.

An investigation has been launched after an abattoir butcher was injured when an animal bolt gun went off accidentally in his hands.

The Meat Advisory Panel (MAP) has developed a series of factsheets outlining the nutritional value and health benefits of meat for consumers, in a bid to dispel the myths and misinformation surrounding red meat.

Bpex’s has hailed its ‘Pork Promise’ campaign a success and claims that more shoppers are now actively looking for Red Tractor logo pork products.

The campaign, launched in autumn 2011, used outdoor poster, print and online advertisments and social media activity to highight the reasons to choose quality-assured pork and explain the standards behind the Red Tractor logo.

Consumers are being urged to write to their MPs to persuade them to support a parliamentary early day motion (EDM) which calls for improved country-of-origin labelling (COOL) on meat and meat products.

The UK has a voluntary code of conduct, but the European Parliament (EP) voted in favour of extending country-of-origin labelling to fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry across member states, in July last year.

A police investigation is under way following the theft of a captive bolt gun from Vion’s Broxburn plant.

A Scottish meat processor was celebrating after six of its staff successfully completed Modern Apprenticeship courses in meat and poultry processing.

ABP UK has applied for planning permission to update its Murton Lane abattoir in York. The developments will not increase capacity, but will improve animal welfare and sustainability.

Bpex have announced a battle of the bacon to kick of activities for next year’s Bacon Connoisseur’s Week.

Under the theme of ‘Red, White & Bacon’, the week will run from 19-25 March 2012 and celebrate the British love of bacon. Ahead of the event, Bpex are inviting high street butchers, farm shops, manufacturers, retailers and catering suppliers to enter a competition to find the best traditional and innovative bacon cures.

A Scotch Beef campaign which helped increase sales of beef in London by 30% has been shortlisted for a major award by the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Vion Food UK has doubled the intake of graduates to its management development programme in 2011. The company says that its 18-month Emerge programme stands out because it offers an internal mentoring scheme in conjunction with an external coaching programme.

A veterinary supply business is celebrating after landing new business following a government re-tendering exercise.

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has expressed concern over the future level of Scottish livestock, despite a report published this week showing that the decline in beef numbers seems to be showing some localised stabilisation. 

British Sausage Week (BSW) generated £15.5m worth of total media coverage, up from the annual five year average of £11.4m, with increased sales of sausages of around £2m, according to organisers Bpex.

The 14th annual nationwide PR campaign ran from 31 October to 6 November and was fronted by Slade front man Noddy Holder. As well as the primary consumer campaign to drive positive media coverage and reaffirm sausages as a favourite, convenient and intrinsically British food, it was intended to provide a platform to promote the category more widely.  

A new report from WRAP has raised questions over the assumption that supermarket promotions cause food waste.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) has called for the alignment of welfare standards to help consumers choose higher welfare meat.

A former Vion director has been announced as the new managing director of the ANM Group’s meat division.

An attempt to install CCTV in a south Wales meat plant led to Food Standards Agency (FSA) bosses threatening to withdraw services.

The move seems to fly in the face of calls by FSA chief executive Tim Smith, who has been pressing the meat industry to install CCTV, following claims by animal rights activists.


Scientists have discovered a 
molecule which they believe might be able to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).


Euro Quality Lambs (EQL) has supplied Red Tractor halal lamb to a charity event attended by HRH Prince Charles to raise money for the flood victims of Pakistan.

Two organisations representing beef farmers in Scotland have announced an intention to unite and form a single, independent body. The Scottish Beef Cattle Association (SBCA) and National Beef Association Scotland (NBAS) have been discussing a union for two years and are now calling on Scottish beef farmers to endorse the move.

The food charity FareShare is calling on the meat industry to work with it to redistribute surplus product to thousands of people facing hunger in the UK.

The chairman of Danish meat company Tican has warned Danish pig producers that they must endeavour to meet the improved animal welfare standards demanded by UK consumers and retailers, according to Danish newspaper Landbrugasavisen.

The meat industry is holding its breath to see if the new fiscal pact agreed by 17 EU member states, vetoed by David Cameron, will have any implications for red meat exports to the European Union.

Entries are now in for the UK’s leading awards for meat and poultry processors, and judges will soon be getting down to the tough business of picking the finalists and winners.

Food Standards Agency (FSA) bosses are coming under fire from some in the meat industry who question the reliability of its audit process. The claims, made by the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), follow on from the news that Summers Poultry, the plant that took an injunction out to stop the FSA withdrawing its services, has been granted an A Grade, following a recent BRC audit.

2 Sisters Food Group is increasing its stake in the chilled foods and ready meals sector by buying Premier Foods’ business Brookes Avana for £30m. 

The poultry industry gathered in London this week to celebrate individual achievements that have boosted the sector in the past or will do so in the future.

Irish private vets have voted in favour of industrial action to protest against the government’s decision to transfer part of meat plant inspections to civil servants. Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has warned that the strike would disrupt production and exports at a crucial time, and urged both sides to settle the dispute in a responsible manner.

Meat processors, along with other businesses, have been urged to plan ahead in preparation for a potential summer drought. An Environment Agency report has revealed that water shortage was very likely after one of the driest springs on record.

A Scottish butcher and processor has won a prestigious award in recognition of his business achievements.

The Scottish government has applied to the United States Department of Argriculture (USDA) to lift the ban currently imposed on red meat imports from Scotland.

Health protection experts have warned that chicken liver pâté is a major source of camplybacter infection in the UK, accounting for 90% of outbreaks at catering venues in 2011.

According to figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), there have been a total of 18 outbreaks of campylobacter infection in the UK this year, with more than 443 people taken ill. Fourteen of these outbreaks occured in catering venues and 13 of these were linked to chicken or duck liver pâté.

The impact of the meat inspectors’ strikes on 30 November has been described as ‘mixed’ by the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) and although some of its members were seriously affected, the majority were able to operate a normal service.

A Norfolk poultry producer has negotiated a temporary pay-cut with its 600 staff in order to see it through financial difficulties.

Red Tractor welfare standards have come under fire from two animal welfare organisations in a new consumer guide to be published in the run-up to Christmas.

Farmers sold their livestock for record prices at the Skipton Auction Mart’s Christmas primestock show. Supreme championship was awarded to a British Blue-cross heifer, a Beltex-cross lamb trio, and a Pietrain-cross-Large White pig trio.

The Pig and Poultry Fair is set to return to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 15 and 16 May 2012.

Sainsbury’s has announced it recalled some of its beef range earlier this month, but stressed it was down to quality problems, and not food safety.

Shipments of Welsh lamb to Canada have started, meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) has announced. The organisation travelled there earlier this year to discuss trade with potential importers, after the Canadian government granted Welsh processors permission to export lamb to the country in July.

Butchers are being offered a new range of premium beef products with the launch of a new brand from Scotch Premier Meat.

Health protection experts have confirmed that an outbreak of food poisoning at a Salford hotel was caused by campylobacter.

A North Yorkshire meat processing company has been fined after fluids from animal skins leaked out of a shipping container.

Volumes of red meat exported to EU and non-EU countries have increased by 22% year on year, due to strong growth in the beef and bacon markets, Eblex has revealed. Overall red meat exports now represent £754.6m, up from £606.3m in 2010.

Beef and veal exports went up 36% compared to last year, and the organisation attributes these results to growing trade with established markets and the opening of shipments to non-EU countries.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has vowed to take action against an injunction preventing it from withdrawing a poultry plant’s licence to operate.


The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned of possible disruptions in abattoirs, as over 650 meat hygiene inspectors have been balloted 
about a public service strike planned on Wednesday (30 November) to protest against low pensions.

Meat industry representatives have reacted furiously to claims by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that there is a culture of bullying and harassment in some sectors of 
the industry.


In an exclusive interview with Meat Trades Journal (November 25 issue, page 8), FSA chief executive Tim Smith said that, in a small percentage of plants, there is “systematic and routine bullying and harassing” of FSA staff, which is both physical and verbal in nature. 


Premier Foods has announced another change to its leadership team, only weeks after getting rid of the role of chief operating officer and unveiling a new business plan.

High cull cow disposals are a cause for ‘real alarm’ for the meat industry, according to the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW). The association warned that calf numbers have declined significantly since last year and predicted that next spring will show another severe reduction.

Meat companies have been invited to contribute to a new training scheme in order to bridge the gap between processors and workers. The initiative could help reduce the meat industry’s need to rely on migrant workforce.

Partly funded by the government, the project includes a pre-employment training programme designed to ensure 600 currently unemployed people get a job in the food and drinks sector.

A new study suggests that the correlation between prostate cancer and red meat is driven primarily by overcooking on a grill or barbecue.

Tulip Ltd has announced the aquisition of Parkam Foods, Trophy Foods, Freshway Foods and Transfoods.

The processor said the deal would give it the opportunity to gain entry to beef and poultry markets, as well as adding sandwich and sandwich filler production to its product portfolio.

Scottish-based food manufacturer Baxters Food Group has bought Fray Bentos for an “undisclosed sum”, with plans to extend its reach into the ambient meat market.

The Dairy Event and Livestock Show is to be rebranded as Livestock 2012 in a bid to continue to build on the recent success of the exhibition.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) said the annual two-day specialist business-to-business event, staged at The NEC in Birmingham, will be called Livestock Incorporating Dairy Event from next year and will be held during the first week of July from 2013 onwards.

Processors still have time to submit their entries for Meat Trades Journal’s annual Meat & Poultry Processing Awards.

The awards recognise the hard work and excellence that goes on across the processing sector. Now in their third year, they are starting to build momentum and last year saw a big jump in entries from companies keen to take home a title.

Bpex has appointed Tulip agricultural director Andrew Saunders as a new board member following the retirement of John Hughes.

The RSPCA has made CCTV a mandatory requirement for all abattoirs operating in its Freedom Food scheme and called for it to become mandatory in all slaughterhouses.

Dr Marc Cooper, senior scientific manager from the RSPCA’s farm animals science team, said his organisation firmly believed that mandatory installation of CCTV would make the slaughter process more transparent and improve welfare for farm animals in the UK.

A man has died after being crushed by a falling carcase at an abattoir in Paisley.

Meat processing giant 2 Sisters Food Group has appointed a new finance director, Steve Henderson, and a chair of the audit committee, Andrew Cripps.

Eblex has welcomed the news that lamb offal had been made available from the meat counter at Waitrose, saying it would help maximise carcase value.

The FSA board has agreed a set of guidelines for slaughterhouses that use CCTV for animal welfare purposes.

Red meat processor Dunbia has launched an export marketing agreement with the Beltex Sheep Society, with a premium of up to 30p/kg on selected lambs. Up to 1,200 Beltex cross sheep will be sold every week to an agreed Belgian buyer.

Household food waste has fallen by 13% over the past three years, with significant benefits to the environment and the UK economy.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) will hold an open Board meeting at its headquarters in London today at 1pm.

A Suffolk beef and sheep farmer has started an e-petition asking for mandatory front-of-pack labelling on non-UK meat in supermarkets and other food outlets. Jeremy Perkins started the initiative when he found a campaign supporting UK troops on a pack of meat produced in South America at Sainsbury’s.

Soy protein provider Solbar is launching two application products to improve the taste and texture of whole-muscle and cured meat items.

The EU has announced that it will cut spend on animal disease programmes by €45m next year.

Ministers made the decision at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) meeting last week, pledging €203m (£184m) to support programmes to eradicate and control animal disease in 2012.

Two poultry businesses have been fined after their employees were seriously injured in falls on their premises.

Llynclys Farm Ltd in Shropshire was fined £6,000 after an employee fell from an unguarded platform and fractured his pelvis, while Crown Chicken in Norfolk was fined £3,500 after a factory worker fell from an unsecured ladder and broke his back.

A bacon and ham smoking plant operating in Norwich for more than 25 years has been destroyed in a blaze. The Broadland Hams plant on the Sweet Briar Industrial Estate was completely gutted by the fire last week. (Nov 10)

A man has been killed in an industrial accident at the John Pointon and Sons rendering plant in Staffordshire.

The Isle of Man's new agriculture minister Phil Gawne has re-asserted his desire to save the island’s only abattoir.

Responding to press reports suggesting a u-turn over plans to safeguard the plant, the minister said he was keen to go ahead with the restructure, but will change the plan set by his predecessor. “Clearly we need to restructure the plant, but we haven’t got a lot of funds available, so we are looking at different mechanisms,” he said.

Medical experts have dismissed claims that new research proves that eating overcooked meat is twice as likely to cause cancer than previously thought.

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has expressed concern that ministers are considering making CCTV mandatory in slaughterhouses to monitor animal welfare.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating following a serious injury to a worker at a meat processing plant in the Midlands.

A new range of pies has been launched by two self-proclaimed ‘grumpy old men’ from Cornwall in collaboration with prize-winning Launceston butcher, Philip Warren’s.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has laid down the key principles for establishing the future meat controls programme, which, once agreed with ministers, will form the basis of the UK position in EU negotiations to modernise meat controls across the EU.

More than 650 meat hygiene inspectors have been balloted about industrial action over pensions on 30th November, and have voted in favour of striking.

Leading sausage case manufacturer Devro announced that sales volumes had shown strongth growth in the period from 1 July 2011 to date, compared to the same time last year, and confirmed that it is on course to meet expectations for the current year.

Ministers are currently deciding whether to make the installation of CCTV mandatory to monitor welfare in slaughterhouses, according to a paper from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The paper, which will be presented to the FSA’s Board meeting on 15 November 2011, discusses the current level of uptake of CCTV for animal welfare monitoring in slaughterhouses and covers some of the issues and benefits of installing CCTV.

Eblex has released cutting demonstrations videos showing master butcher Dick van Leeuwen using seam butchery techniques to add value to beef cuts.

In order to help processors and butchers maximise carcase value, Eblex has launched a range of alternative beef and lamb cuts suitable for sous-vide cooking.

Former Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) chairman Rees Roberts has become the latest recipient of the Royal Smithfield Club’s Bicentenary Trophy for service to the livestock and meat trades. The Trophy, an Armada dish set with 25 golden guineas, was presented to him by the Club’s president John Coultrip at Butcher’s Hall.

Eblex has produced a new set of guidelines which aims to help abattoirs overcome the problem of hot and cold muscle shortening in lamb carcases post-slaughter, and thereby maintain the tenderness of the meat.

The Food Standards Agency has reported that meat from a cow aged over 72 months has entered the supply chain without being tested for BSE.

UK food wholesale business DBC Foodservice has launched its first range of Eblex quality-assured beef and lamb products for the foodservice sector.

A high-speed beef and sheep database recording animal movements and assurance statuses is essential to enhance the industry’s reputation on world markets, according to Eblex chairman John Cross.

Speaking at the organisation’s annual conference, Cross said that by helping manage the risk of major disease outbreaks, the system would put the UK on an equal or better footing than its competitors at a time when world trade is booming.

The 2011 Eblex conference outlined the challenges and opportunities of the British beef and lamb industry. Exports outside the EU and halal products should both be developed to ensure a bright future for the sector.

Midland Pig Producers (MPP) has had its proposal for a pig farm, which would house up to 22,500 pigs, turned down by South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC). While rejection at a local district council level is a blow to the company, it will not find out the final outcome until Derbyshire County Council makes a decision before the end of the year. 

Animal nutritionist Paul Toplis has been awarded the prestigious David Black Award in recognition of his sustained contribution to the pig industry over a career which spans 40 years.

The Kerry Group reported good third-quarter results, saying that performance was solid across all the regions and had maintained the momentum of its half-year results. 

Foodservice pie manufacturer Peter’s Pies has teamed with children’s hospital charity Noah’s Ark Appeal to help raise funds for the Chilren’s Hospital for Wales through the sale of its new range of pies.

Premier Foods has announced substantial changes to its leadership team following a year-on-year decline, which has resulted in the company announcing the sell-off of many of its brands.

Two of the meat industry’s leading figures have been appointed as the first non-executive directors of the new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.

The Environment Agency (EA) has dropped its objections to the mega-pig farm proposed by Midland Pig Producers (MPP), after deciding that the risks of pollution to the ground water are minimal. 

Northern Ireland Invest has launched two new export initiatives by teaming up with Eblex and QMS to increase sales in key European markets, as part of its Boosting Business campaign.

Poultry and pork farmers Packington Free Range has won its third accolade this year, winning the Special Award for Commitment to Continued Improvement at the 2011 Good Food Awards, organised by Taste of Staffordshire.

Livestock farmer group Graig Producers has made an agreement with Dunbia’s Welsh abattoir in Llanybydder, guaranteeing minimum prices for organic lamb. The organisation hopes to encourage its members to produce organic lamb year-round and avoid the need for imports.

A major poultry processing company has been hit with fines totalling more than £250,000 after two employees were seriously injured in two separate industrial accidents.

2 Sisters Food Group admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act during a hearing before Norwich Crown Court.

Two North Yorkshire businesses have been fined for dumping food waste including meat on land to feed sheep and cattle. The Environment Agency told the court that that the transporting and dumping of the waste had the potential to cause another foot and mouth outbreak in a region still recovering from the outbreak ten years ago

The organisation claims its 10 new cuts, developed from the loin, leg, forequarter and breast using seam butchery techniques, could improve gross margins by 20%.

Bacon and meat processor Tulip has developed a new premium sausage brand, which will be launched in Tesco, the Co-op and other major retailers in November.

The volatility of the worldwide grain market may continue to push meat prices upwards, according to AHDB analysts.

Speaking at the HGCA grain market outlook conference, senior analyst Jack Watts said the worldwide production of grain in 2011 was struggling to keep pace with growing demand. With an anticipated 25mt global deficit for maize pushing reliance on to wheat for animal feed, the volatility of the grain market may well hit meat prices, particularly as meat consumption rises.

Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) ‘Perfect Steaks and Roasts’ phone application has been awarded a top marketing accolade. Judged at the Scottish Creative Awards, the app features instructions, recipes and tips on how to cook Scotch Beef and Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.

Meat processing giant Dunbia has announced the acquisition of Crewe-based meat wholesaler Heathfield Foods. The purchase of the business and its assets brings the total number of processing facilities owned by Dunbia Group to 10 throughout the UK and Ireland.

A new survey has found that 94% of consumers believe the animal welfare standards for fresh meat should also apply to frozen and processed foods, with 98% believing that supermarkets should enforce the same standards of animal welfare on imported meat as on meat from British farms. 

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a scheme to promote the use of Scotch beef and lamb in cooking lessons at school. It offers vouchers of up to £100 for secondary schools to buy their meat at local retailers.

Butchers’ JC Rook & Sons has won the prestigious Bpex Foodservice Sausage of the Year Award, beating nearly 300 entries to win the trophy, which was presented at Butchers’ Hall on Friday. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is asking meat and poultry processors to prove they have improved employment practices, a year after issuing recommendations on the treatment of migrant workers.

Protein sources such as meat and fish could be the key to curbing appetites and reducing obesity, according to new international research.

Northern Irish beef supplier Foyle Food Group has launched a major new rebrand of its entire operations, refreshing and simplifying its logo and branding to help it compete in an increasingly global marketplace. 

The poultry industry has a bright future, but strategic changes must be made, according to a new Rabobank report. Written by an international team of poultry specialists, Crossroads for Growth has predicted a 30% rise in global demand for poultry by 2020.

Eblex and Bpex have launched a new website to help international red meat buyers find products and suppliers.

The industry should turn to the government for help in accessing new overseas markets, according to Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

A lawyer specialising in food-industry regulation has questioned whether the Food Standards Agency (FSA) should surrender prosecution powers.

Processors will have to foot the bill if they want to create an alternative model for meat inspection charging, the head of the Food Standards Agency has said.


The RWM Food Group has announced a plan to consult with staff over potential redundancies following the loss of a major retail contract.

The business, which was acquired by ABP UK earlier this week, said it had suffered the cancellation of a “substantial” order for retail packed meat from a major multiple retail customer.

The International Meat Trade Association (IMTA) has called for increased flexibility over European Union (EU) commodity crisis management so that soaring meat prices - as well as price collapses - can be tamed by the European Commission.

UK meat leaders along with regulators have welcomed the news that changes may be on the cards when it comes to meat inspection for the pig sector.

Leading UK and Irish beef processor ABP has announced it is to purchase the RWM Food Group for an undisclosed sum.

Premier Foods today reported 3Q group results ‘significantly below expectation’, announcing that it will dispose of many of its businesses to concentrate on eight core brands, as a result of its recent underperformance.

Farmers will not back the Isle of Man’s meat plant restructuring, according to Lynwill Farms Ltd owner William Christian, who is currently trying to set up his own plant.

The latest results from UK meat processor Cranswick show that retail prices of pork products could stand a rise, said Bpex chairman Stewart Houston.

Cranswick has registered a 5% sales volume growth in the first half of 2011, with a 7% rise in the second quarter. Houston said: “This success matches our observations and contradicts the declarations of retailers saying that demand is flat and challenging.”

Sheep industry hero John Thorley OBE has been appointed as the new chairman of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS).

As director of the Pastoral Alliance and former chief executive of the National Sheep Association, Thorley has over 40 years’ experience of campaigning for the meat industry. He is also currently chair of the Prince of Wales’ Mutton Renaissance Club and the Campaign for Wool.

Scotland rugby ace Chris Paterson is praising the nutritional qualities of red meat in a new healthy eating campaign.

A Yorkshire transport company transporting animal by-products to a rendering plant has been hit with a fine totalling more than £40,000 after poultry waste spilled out onto roads.

A Staffordshire abattoir has been strongly criticised by the local council after trees in woodland owned by the abattoir were felled without permission.

Leading sausage casings manufacturer Devro has announced that it has successfully renewed its five-year £51m credit facility.

Simon Howie Foods has appointed former AB World Foods’ Australasia general manager Andrew Stall as its new managing director.

Former managing director Simon Howie will remain in the company as chairman, with Staal taking on the daily operational management of the business in a drive to grow the firm’s £9m turnover.

Eblex has published a new guide to help small abattoirs and processors reduce costs and increase revenue.

‘Adding Value and Managing Costs in Small Abattoirs and Meat Processors’ is designed to help plants carry out a basic self-assessment in order to identify cost-saving opportunities and potential revenue streams.

Irish processing giant Dawn Meats has announced the acquisition of a beef abattoir in the English Lake District.

Mark Newman, a founder member of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) and a staunch supporter of the live market system, has died aged 52.

The campaign against Midlands Pig Producers’ (MPP) plans for a new ‘super-pig farm’ in Derbyshire has stepped up a gear, with a new publicity drive being planned in the run-up to Christmas. 

The Humane Slaughter Award 2012 is now up for grabs, with applications and nominations now being received from around the world.

Asda triumphed at the British Turkey Awards dinner at the Globe Theatre in London, taking the title of retailer of the year for the breadth of its year-round range of turkey products. 

Vion is to create 250 extra jobs at its Broxburn pork processing plant as part of a multi-million-pound investment in training and development.

Irish-based ingredients and flavours company Kerry Group has confirmed that it will buy US rival Cargill’s global flavours business for US$230m.

Eblex has produced best-practice handling guidelines for beef cattle, after research revealed poor beef cattle handling can reduce carcase values by as much as 50p per kilo.

Spanish consumers have rated English Quality Standard grass-fed lamb highly in blind taste tests carried out by Eblex.

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has dismissed claims that the current review of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland could lead to chaos for food safety standards.

Regional specialities such as Welsh Beef & Lamb, Traditional Cumberland Sausages and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies are being forgotten by the British public, according to a new survey by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

Places are still available for the The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology’s (SOFHT) Traceability Conference & Exhibition on 13 October 2011.

A flock of sheep worth up to £100,000 has been stolen from a farm in Lincolnshire, raising fears that the meat will enter the food chain illegally through unregulated abattoirs. 

A Dumfries sausage factory owned by Browns Food Group is closing, with the potential loss of 15 jobs.

Meat leaders have hit out at the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) latest update on its assessment of the impact of its proposals to increase charges for official controls on meat, describing it as “full of holes”.

Country of origin labelling (COOL) may be motivated by protectionism and could lead to the decline of inter-European trade, delegates at the sixth annual Belgian Meat Roundtable were warned.

Uruguyan meat suppliers have hit out at Daily Mail reports attacking its industry, following a row between Asda and UK farmers.

The Catholic Church has called for worshippers in England and Wales to return to the centuries-old tradition of abstaining from eating meat on a Friday.

Meat industry representatives have refuted claims that meat production is unsustainable and facing imminent decline.

Over the past few weeks, The Guardian, The Independent and the Daily Mail have all run stories suggesting that we are facing a reduction in meat sales, citing a myriad of reasons including price inflation, climate change, health concerns and high-profile anti-meat campaigns.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron put beef exports firmly on the agenda during a visit to Russia this week.

New and updated guidance on staying safe at work is now available for processors and their staff in a bid to cut down on accidents and injuries across the industry.

Welsh lamb is benefiting from the high prices of its New Zealand counterparts in the French market, according to latest information from Hybu Cyg Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales.

Leading meat packer Hilton Food Group has announced a resilient performance in its interim results, with good results across operations in Western and central Europe in spite of continued challenges to consumer spending.

The cost of production for beef and sheep rose by 4.6% per kilo on average in the year to 31 March 2011, an Eblex survey has revealed, although figures for the year to date are expected to show improved margins for farmers.

Welsh lamb bosses are hoping for a boost with the launch of a major £800,000 marketing campaign to extol the virtues of their meat.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to push ahead with its controversial plans for full-cost recovery while putting the onus on the meat industry to find a feasible and financially viable alternative model for meat inspection. 

Bpex has appointed two new members to its board of directors: Richard Hooper from Harper Adams University College and Steve Francis, managing director of Vion’s pork business.

Legendary rock star Noddy Holder is to take up the British banger challenge by becoming the face of Bpex’s 14th annual British Sausage Week.

Two practical and interactive courses have been launched to help small businesses get to grips with the complexities of food safety during production.

McDonald's is introducing calorie information on menus throughout all for its 1,200 UK restaurants, the Department of Health has announced.

Westaway Sausages, the West Country-based specialist sausage maker, has invested £500k in its production facility – a move that has resulted in a 75% increase in capacity.

Industrial action has reached a stalemate at Northern Irish beef primal processor Omagh Meats as a dispute over restructuring production lines continues.

A leading meat processor has announced a deal to expand its operations on to the world stage, with a new export partnership.

A bid to put more meat on the bones of a proposal to source an alternative approach to the delivery of official meat inspections is under way.