Industry figurehead passes away

- Published: 17 September, 2009

National Beef Association (NBA) national vice-chairman Frank Momber has died following a short illness.

As a key industry representative, Momber was appointed to the EBLEX board before and after the new AHDB structure was formalised. He was particularly passionate about cattle health and welfare after the dairy herd on his farm at Hatchmoor Farm in Hawkley, Hampshire, was culled during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the 1960s.

He then moved out of dairying and restocked the farm with beef suckler cows. During the last four years, he was heavily involved in the development of the Stabiliser breed in the UK, building up his own herd on the farm.

NBA director Kim Hayward said Momber’s determination to raise the issues facing the industry constantly took him into the upper echelons of government discussions, driving policy changes on behalf of NBA members for the benefit of the beef cattle sector.

She added: “Frank was a true, charismatic English gentleman, whose presence and humour will be greatly missed by many.”