The NPA’s autumn regional meetings get underway this week, starting with the South West meeting on Tuesday.
The will takes place at Exeter racecourse on the evening of the first day of the George Vet Group Pig Fair on October 2, so there is an earlier start time of 5.30pm. Attendees at the Fair are welcome to stay on for the meeting, which will finish at around 9pm.
The meeting will begin, as usual, with an update from the NPA team covering the big topical issues.
Prominent among these is tail docking. It has become clear that increased enforcement of legislation relating to tail docking and provision of environmental enrichment is in the pipeline, with some producers already being penalised for routine docking.
The NPA update will therefore include advice on how best to ensure you are compliant and what evidence producers should be gathering to demonstrate compliance. Additionally, the team will provide updates on Brexit and the growing threat of African Swine Fever.
This will be followed by an update on the market by Bethan Wilkins from AHDB’s Market Intelligence.Then Charles Smith, Chief Executive of The Farming Community Network will talk about the important work of the FCN in supporting farmers and their families through difficult times.
South West regional chairman Andrew Freemantle said: “As always, the more people that attend these meetings the more everyone will get out of them by way of active discussion, so please do make the effort to come along. Your views are also very important in helping the national Producer Group formulate policy on your behalf.”
Please indicate your attendance by contacting Andrea by email andrea.vickers@npanet.org.uk or telephone 02476 858780
Details for the other three autumn regionals
East Anglia
Tuesday, October 9
Venue: Diss RFC, Mackenders, Bellrope Lane, Roydon, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 5RG
Timings: Buffet at 6.30pm, meeting proper to start at 7.00pm. Predicted to finish at 9.00-9.30pm
South Central
Tuesday, October 16
Venue: Newbury Rugby Club, Monk’s Lane, Newbury, RG14 7RW
Timings: Buffet at 6.30pm, meeting proper to start at 7.00pm. Predicted to finish at 9.00-9.30pm
North
Tuesday, October 23
Venue: Sandburn Hall, Scotchman Lane, York, YO60 7RG
Timings: Buffet at 6.30pm, meeting proper to start at 7.00pm. Predicted to finish at 9.00-9.30pm