Red Meat Task Group

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Red Meat Task Group

• Presented by
• Chris France

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The purpose of the group

• To add/retain value within the region
• To exploit all/any opportunities within and
  without the region
• To join up the supply chain
• To identify and benefit from improved efficiency
  throughout the supply chain

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How will this be done?

• Eight point Action Plan

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Action 1

• To undertake a review of Abattoirs in the
  North East
• Mapping existing capacity and future
  demand

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Why another study?

• Examine the 2002 Abattoir Study.
• That there is currently no requirement for a new
  abattoir to provide additional animal
  slaughtering capacity in the North East region.
• However, if in the future one of todays major
  players were to cease operating, a requirement
  might exist.

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The purpose of the study

• Is to review the findings of the 2002 study,
  (undertaken by Promar International), in light of
  the changes to the North East red meat sector of
  new and impending legislation, structural reform
  and reduced slaughtering capacity.
• The research will demonstrate a strong regard for
  the strategic objectives contained within the
  regions Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy
  (SFFS).

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• Draft report completed working group
  established
• Final report due end of March 2006
• Key elements will be widely circulated

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Action 2

• Establish a pilot project to set up a Best
  Practice Farmers Group
• In association with RMIF using on farm
  Benchmarking
• Located at Hexham Mart
• Meet four times a year maybe more often

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Action 3

• Improve efficiency, transparency and trust
  throughout the supply chain
• Training and awareness events for farmers and
  procurers
• Supply chain to meet-the-farmer events
• Clear and accurate information on prices
• Discussion forums.

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Action 4

• Demonstrate the benefits of collaboration between
  farmers
• Combine resources!
• Share knowledge and skills!

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Action 5

• Identify opportunities for retaining value in the
  region
• Feasibility study to explore
• Contract finishing on lowland/mixed farms linked
  to procurement and end user
• Outcome may be to establish a pilot project.

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Action 6

• Explore the potential for regional branding in
  conjunction with quality marks
• Possible outcome improve premium paid to the
  regions producers.

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Action 7

• Pilot project to export beef and lamb from the
  North East
• Identify an export market (Holland?)
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Discussions have started with processors need
  producer input

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Action 8

• Who will deliver the action plan?
• Business Development Coordinator
• Publicly funded - 3 yr fixed term contract
• Under the management of RMIF
• Joint reporting to RMIF and NE Red Meat Task Group

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Purpose of the job

• To manage the Red Meat Groups Action Plan
• To identify active projects
• To explore funding to implement projects
  including pilot projects
• To liase with industry organisations

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Additional Actions

• As and when need arises or further issues
  identified
• Linkages with regional food and drink strategy
• Linkages with public procurement
• Other linkages eg Organic, NL, private
  initiatives, etc.