AHDB Shape the Future vote closes today

Voting on AHDB's future priorities closes at midday today. 

During the four-week voting window, levy payers who had registered to take part in the Beef and Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sectors were sent an email and unique link taking them to the website to have their say or a postal pack with the voting questions.

To vote, click here: www.ahdb.org.uk/Shape-the-Future.

Each of the remaining sector councils have identified some key priorities they think are important to the industry and we want you to tell us how much you agree. The Pork Sector Council has identified the following five priorities for the industry:

(A) Selling every part of the pig for the best financial return at home in the UK or overseas

(B) Protecting the reputation of pork and promoting its benefits to consumers

(C) Improving animal health and welfare, reducing disease, and demonstrating high standards

(D) Demonstrating that the pork industry takes its impact on the environment seriously and is improving

(E) Improving profitability to remain competitive at home and overseas

The initial results will be presented to levy payers once the voting process has been completed with the Sector Councils meeting in June and July to discuss how they should be implemented in each sector.

Taking part

A total of 330 pig producers and 15 pork processors/buyers registered to take part in the Shape the Future campaign, among a total, across all four remaining AHDB sectors, of 10,842 levy payers. 

This also includes nearly 4,000 in the beef and lamb sector, more than 3,500 dairy farmers and more than 3,000 in the cereals and oilseeds sector.

While the pork figure does not appear particularly high, it does cover 74% of pig production and 93% of pigs processed in England, the highest percentages in both cases. This would appear to partly reflect the integrated nature of much of the pig sector and suggests the big integrators have signed up.

AHDB Chief Executive Tim Rycroft said: “I am delighted that, for the first time in our history, more than 10,000 levy payers will have the chance to tell us directly how they want their levy invested.

“We have engaged through countless events, webinars and discussion groups and have used multiple communications and media channels to support this campaign."