National Beef Association

Shand reflects

Despite the increased price of beef, considerable challenges are still faced by the public perception of the industry, tree planting and farm support.

We leave 2021 with the beef industry in reasonably good shape, although input prices have risen sharply in the weeks ending 2021 and those at the beginning of 2022, says National Beef Association chief executive Neil Shand.

“If I had said in April 2020 that the farm gate price would rise by 85 pence per kilo in the next 18 months, my state of mind may just have been questioned,” he says.

“It is likely the challenges facing us in 2022 will be largely consistent with those of the last 18 months, although it’s obviously difficult to predict the pandemic complications which may arise next. 2019 was the last comparable year, and it’s likely involving 2020 and 2021 are, in reality, unhelpful and misleading, and tell us little about what to expect for the coming year. However, one thing is certain; Covid-19 has changed the way people live their lives, and we can expect some permanent changes on the back of this in our ‘new normal’.”

Neil says the prediction based on current issues is that next year’s challenges will revolve around industry reputation, environmental solutions and farm support.

He continues: “In an ever-evolving world where transparency is vital, and longforgotten spoken or written words can be regurgitated at any time, we must be mindful of the increasing microscopic analysis of food production, especially where animals are involved. Neil Shand

“Our processes must be bombproof and fully transparent. Too much airtime spent fighting back on dietary choices is not a sensible use of energy; people should have freedom of choice to decide what and how they eat.”

The industry’s resources should be used to ensure standards remain steadfast and comprehensive, so that the reputation of the industry cannot be exploited by failings in health and welfare systems, Neil suggests. “The Westminster government has made it clear they will not dictate what the population should and shouldn’t eat. We must embrace this support and hold them to their promises.”

He says: “There is a lot of media and industry focus on the recent trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, but perhaps we should be less concerned about this than we appear to be. Global demand for beef is increasing, and we would do well to ensure our own house is in order, firstly in terms of our standards, with everything geared towards maintaining and improving them, thus protecting the reputation of home production. “The climate change committee is suggesting a 20 per cent reduction in meat consumption by 2030. This covers all meats - beef, lamb, pork, chicken and even fish - and is an overall reduction not a 20 per cent reduction per sector. “Looking at current trends and the obvious fact that people must eat a certain quantity of food to survive, these proposed reductions appear completely unachievable. Perhaps it would make much more sense for the climate change committee to consider researching targets that are actually attainable,” he says. The environmental challenge is massive, and the potential for mistakes to be made more so, he comments.

“In the rush to try and ‘fix climate change’ in the shortest time possible, long term side effects of hastily made decisions are being overlooked. Projects implemented without any thought of

long term effects are those which have the potential to be catastrophic. “Just 18 months ago, we were assured there would be no resale value for carbon credits. Now, good land is being sold to foreign investors to grow trees and to claim the carbon credits with no idea how their value is calculated.

“In the same vein, a famous Aberdeenshire brewery is promising to plant a tree for every pint they produce; it appears they intend to correct their fouling of our planet by planting trees on good arable land previously used to grow food. While planting trees may seem a great way to partially solve one problem, it’s just creating problems of a different kind. Our food producing land is being lost for the future; it is not a sustainable plan for a UK which is currently barely 50 per cent self-sufficient. We cannot eat trees.”

Carbon auditing of all farms is on the horizon, he says, adding that before the industry is forced into this, huge investment is needed for research to develop the best possible calculator. Neil says: “We are currently in danger of turning our industry on its head based on a series of calculators which are simply not reliable or fit for purpose. All governments need to invest heavily into this science, and even more into ruminant methane inhibitors. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the value of research and investment in science, and the results that can be achieved in a short period of time if the will and determination are there.

“The future of farm support is of major concern to all beef producers. The in-calf cows currently housed for winter will calve next spring and will be our consumed beef in 2024. The inexorability of our processing chain is such that it is imperative we are aware of the levels of support available.

“During COP26, targets were set to reduce menthane outputs by 30 per cent by 2030 – this was agreed by many, but not all, countries. We know that if we reduce the average age at slaughter by even three months, we can reduce emissions from beef production by approximately 20 per cent. The eradication of endemic disease could add a further 13 per cent. Add the two together and we can realistically achieve the emissions reduction target, without any reduction in total livestock numbers and the corresponding drop in self sufficiency.” Now is the time for these activities to be rewarded, suggests Neil. It works on many levels; outcome-based support for a measurable reduction in emissions - public money for public good. “It’s imperative the financial benefit which should be due to producers who make these changes is allocated to them before others within the sector demand them as part of their environmental goals. “The pandemic has united farmers with their consumers at levels probably not seen since the end of the Second World War. This support, aided by the resilience of our industry, will see us enter 2022 with confidence, and ready and able to face our challenges and embrace our opportunities.”

The Beef Expo 2022 will be held at Darlington Farmers Mart Saturday 28th May 2022

TRADESTANDS, SEMINARS, FARM TOURS, AND MORE…