Representatives from more than 60 businesses, organisations and academic institutions recently took part in a fact-finding meeting in York to explore the potential for creating a monogastric centre of excellence for the UK’s pig and poultry industries.
The event, run by Quantech Solutions’ Sam Hoste, was designed to give all interested parties a clear view of the centre’s potential and an indication of where they might each fit in, as regards its future development.
“The main aim of the day was to give everybody the chance to offer feedback and suggestions,” said Mr Hoste, the project’s facilitator. “I was impressed with how positive the meeting was and the superb engagement of those attending.”
Delegate input from the York meeting will be applied, as appropriate, to the project’s full bid for funding under the Government’s £70 million agri-tech grant scheme.
“An initial expression of interest for some of that £70m has already been submitted,” said Mr Hoste, adding that a follow-up “full submission” is due to be made next year.