Positive message at P&P fair

Organisers said there was an audible buzz of optimism among the visitors as they descended on more than 240 exhibitors to see what was on offer at the two-day Fair, to help them improve their businesses.

Food and farming minister Jeff Rooker said, during his visit to the fair, that he was "uplifted" by the number of young producers he had met who had faith in the future.

There was standing room only at the Fair's keynote "Great Feed Debate," which included speakers from the retail, processing and animal feed sectors, as well as producers and saw vigorous discussion on high feed prices and supply chain management, as well as meat quality and changing consumer demands.

This was the highlight of an extremely well-attended Forum and Workshop programme, which included stimulating debate on a range of important issues facing the industry, including planning, legislation, animal health and future opportunities.

Organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and partnered by

leading monogastric animal feed company Associated British Nutrition (ABN) at

Stoneleigh Park on 13-14 May, the fair also provided a showcase for all

the latest equipment and ideas developed to help the whole industry move

forward.

With an increase in numbers to 8943 people attending the Fair this year, event

manager Alice Bell said: "Focusing on the whole food supply chain for the first

time was obviously the right way to go and will, I hope, help provide both the

pig and poultry sectors with the information needed to adapt successfully to

meet future demands."

British Pig Executive (BPEX) chief executive Mick Sloyan commented: "Despite the

difficulties facing the industry, it was one of the best Pig Fairs for a number

of years from BPEX's point of view. The stand was very busy both days and there

were high levels of confidence being expressed."

Peter Bradnock, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, which held a

successful producer briefing with the Food Standards Agency and the NFU on

reducing nicarbazin residues in chickens at the Fair, said: "There was a good

positive air among producers there and we were pleased to see so many of them

following up on emerging trends in the market place."

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