Harnessing and highlighting the environmental positives behind its hilly grass-based production and adding value to its abundant, high-quality raw material are among strategies aimed at sustaining a successful Northern Irish beef and lamb industry.

It was the year 1992 that the Queen declared as her annus horribilis. And while the past 12 months have not quite been that for the abattoir sector, they also fall far short of  being an annus mirabilis - or ‘year of wonder’ too. To some, the industry is beseiged from all sides.

"It has become the elephant in the room; everybody sees it, everybody is talking about it, but the damn thing won’t go away.”

The meat and poultry industries are a safer place to work than they were 10 years ago — partly thanks to safer machinery and higher awareness among workers.