Nineteen candidates have been confirmed so for the New Year NPA elections.
With just over a fortnight to go until nominations close, a total of eight producers have confirmed they will be contesting the 12 Producer Group places, split between the five NPA regions. They include NPA chairman Richard Lister, vice chairman Richard Longthorp and PG chairman Phil Stephenson (all North), alongside some potential new faces on the group, Tom Allen (South Central) and David Owers (Midlands).
PG member Rob Mutimer (East) has confirmed he is standing again, while the latest two to throw their hats into the ring are Andrew Freemantle and Sophie Hope (both South West).
To read the PG manifestos, click here
The Allied Industry Group now has 11 candidates for its 10 places, after three more had their nominations confirmed – Andrew Zarkos Smith (Zarkos-Smith Associates), Paul Hutton (Collinson) and Bob Dixon (ABN).
To read the AIG manifestos, click here
AIG chairman Hugh Crabtree said he wanted at least a ‘cricket team’ to ensure a proper contest when voting begins towards the end of January. He has now got that, with time for more expected nominations to be confirmed.
But with nominations closing on January 8, the NPA is urging anyone considering putting their name forward not to delay any longer, particularly for PG where more candidates are needed. Chief executive Zoe Davies said. “This is a really critical time for the UK pig sector and there will never be a better time to step forward and shape the future of our industry. So if you are thinking of standing, for you own sake and the industry’s, give it a go!”
How to nominate
To nominate yourself, go to votenpa.co.uk for online entry forms and rules.
PG nominations need to be supported by two current NPA producer members – a proposer and a seconder. AIG nominations need to be supported by two current NPA allied industry members.
To be validated, election addresses and head and shoulders pictures must be supplied with nominations.
Online voting commences on January 22.