LMC appoints industry development manager

- Published: 04 February, 2009

Ian Stevenson has been appointed industry development manager by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

Stevenson will develop and implement LMC's technical strategy, with particular focus on the progress of the production sector, including producer efficiency, scale, profitability and farm assurance. He will also provide scientific and technical information in support of marketing programmes and act as the spokesperson for LMC on all production-related issues.

Stevenson is a native of Ballymoney, where he was educated to A-level and spent a lot of time working on his uncle's mixed dairy farm over the years. He then attended Queen's University Belfast, where he obtained a Bachelor of Agriculture Degree in General Agriculture, followed by the University of Aberdeen, where he obtained a Master of Science Degree in Animal Production.

Stevenson has previously worked at the Ulster Farmers' Union, where he spent over nine years as a policy officer/senior policy officer representing the views of farmer members on a wide range of beef, sheep, dairy and animal health issues. Prior to that, he worked for four years with Moy Park as a technical adviser to contracted broiler breeder growers.

Speaking on his appointment, Stevenson said: "I aim to work closely with the local beef and sheep industry in assisting its future development in areas such as assurance and traceability, in examining and promoting models/techniques of best practice and efficiency, and in supporting the needs of industry as it continues to evolve in response to ever-changing markets, competition, regulatory frameworks and support tools.

"I already know a good number of people in the industry and hope to build on these relationships to encourage greater understanding in the Northern Ireland marketplace".

Stevenson started with LMC on 13 January and he has already hosted a livestock genetics meeting for Northern Ireland breeders.