31 October 2007
The Task Force strategy was launched at its conference on 3 October and has been widely communicated throughout Northern Ireland, GB and ROI in the last three weeks. This is an ongoing process involving NI stakeholders, farming organisations, processor organisations, levy bodies, the press and other interested individuals and companies.
The Task Force met on Wednesday 24th October to discuss the next steps in taking the strategy forward The six strands of activity that were detailed in the Report were confirmed. These are:
(a) Engaging with core customers;
(b) Investing in trialling new production models and value chain systems;
(c) Aligning and sharpening industry incentives and building strong value chain relationships;
(d) Focusing research and capability building to drive competitiveness;
(e) Facilitating diversification and exit for those producers who wish to transition out of the industry;
(f) Implementing a communications programme.
It was agreed that the communications programme is an ongoing process, and that the first two steps to be implemented are (a) and (b) as follows:
- To seek one-to one meetings with the major GB multiple retailers, led by the retailers’ suppliers and the Task Force Consultants, in order to determine what their plans are to source product which they say their customers want. This will be followed by an all-UK meeting likely to revolve around an event in London involving senior National and European politicians, retail cutomers represented by senior policy personnel, and consumer representatives. This will be led by NIMEA and the British Meat Processors Association.
- The Task Force agreed to put in place information and demonstration of efficient production models that are likely to be economically viable, and how new value chain relationships can be put in place involving processor led supply groups. Small working groups will be established to draw up the protocols for dairy beef and upland/lowland sheep production systems, and to put in place some demonstration units. Likewise protocols to demonstrate every possible cost efficiency improvement for sucklers and hill sheep in preparation for commercial implementation if the market price increases. Depending on the outcome of the communication with the market, the Task Force will decide whether to continue to build efficient and commercially viable supply chains in suckler and hill sheep production.
An Executive Summary has been widely distributed immediately following the Task Force Conference and the full report is available to download from the Task Force website www.niredmeattaskforce.co.uk .
