Northern Ireland Red Meat Industry Task Force

The consultation process for the NI Red Meat Task Force is now complete.

During the past few months the consultants carrying out the work have met with:

130 people in NI for indepth interviews and focus groups, plus 20 people from outside NI.

five main processors in NI.

The response to the farmer survey was just over 1,000 replies.

All of the collated information is now being analysed.

Last week the Northern Ireland Red Meat Task Force issued a questionnaire with the LMC Bulletin. The response to the questionnaire has so far been very positive and the Task Force is very grateful to all those who have completed and returned it.

However, the Task Force would like to encourage those of you who have not done so to complete the questionnaire and return in the envelope provided.

We understand that surveys are time consuming – however, it is important that the data analysis is as extensive and as well prepared as possible. The challenge for the Task Force is to determine how a profitable and sustainable industry can be achieved in Northern Ireland and to do so input is needed from the whole industry - the strength of the analysis depends on good quality data that in turn stems from a large number of people involved in the industry.

The questionnaire was designed to meet the research needs of the independent consultants we need to ensure that the questions asked are the right ones to ensure greater accuracy. We appreciate that it is not long since we asked fro your support with our labour survey and we apologise for any repetition of the questions. However, due to the need for further detail and to tie the information back to each farm, we have had to cover the same ground twice in some areas.

Completion is of great value to the Task Force and the questionnaire is completely confidential and your identity will not be connected with specific published data.

It is important that the farming sector is fully consulted and this survey is one of the key methods for you to take part in shaping the future of Northern Ireland’s red meat industry.