Welcome to the NPA, Rebecca!

A big welcome to Rebecca Veale, who takes up her new role at the NPA today.

Rebecca moves over from the NFU, where she specialised in animal health and welfare, which will remain her focus at the NPA.

Rebecca said: “This is a really exciting day – I can’t wait to get started. I am joining a fantastic team that delivers a lot of great work across the pig industry, which, in turn, is a very progressive sector of agriculture.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know the industry and its people, and to getting to grips with some of the issues it faces.”

During her time at the NFU, Rebecca worked with the Responsible Use of Animal Medicine (RUMA) alliance on reducing antibiotic use in cattle, including formulating strategy and action plans for the sector.

She worked on obtaining RDP funding for tackling sheep scab and helped formulate the NFU’s response to avian flu, for example drafting contingency plans and guidance for farmers.

She also has experience of working in Brussels representing the NFU on the COPA animal health and welfare working group.

All of this will stand her in great stead for her new role in the pig industry, NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Rebecca to the team. She will bring great knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to the role and I’m sure she will get a warm welcome wherever she goes,” Zoe added.

 

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca or Becca? Becca

Where were you brought up? Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire – we moved around.

What was the best thing about it? Being in the countryside – we lived right beside Cleeve Hill in Cheltenham, which was brilliant for sledging in the snow and flying kites!

How did you get into farming? My family aren’t farmers, but I chose to study agriculture at university because I found it so interesting; I loved it from the start.

Previous roles? NFU, AHDB, Punch Taverns (now Greene King) and a few pubs during my student days! I have done a lot of temp work in between including in a prison.

Perfect holiday? Somewhere with white sand, a blue sea and where the sun is shining

Favourite meal? Roast pork

Favourite things to do in spare time? Once I’ve walked the dog I like to get crafty, I do a bit of sewing, upholstery and millinery.

Pets? Dorothy the cocker spaniel

Favourite book? Pride and Prejudice  

What do you prefer - night in with box set? Or out on the town? I love an evening in the pub!