United Kingdom-Vion UK.

UNITED KINGDOM-Mark Wilson has been appointed agriculture director of Vion UK’s pork business unit.

Wilson is currently director of pig industry development with BPEX and Vion is hoping the announcement will underline its commitment to the UK market.

The company said Wilson’s experience would add real value as it plans to develop its supply chain communications with UK pig farmers and customers, and adopt best practice using the lessons learned from its Dutch farm supply operations to enhance its UK offer.

Bill Thurston, managing director of the Vion UK pork business unit, said: "We have always been seen as just importers of Dutch meat but now we are part of the United Kingdom pig industry with a feed mill and 5,000 sows of our own.

"In appointing Mark Wilson, we have brought in someone who can have a serious relationship with producers, which goes beyond the solely trading relationships that existed in the past and extends to technical and innovative expertise.

"Our major retail customers have shown a lot of interest in the appointment and how it can help develop the industry."

SCOTLAND-The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has agreed to allow Alan Craig to delay the start of his presidency by up to six months.

Craig has recently taken over the role of chief executive officer at the ANM Group and it was agreed that he should be allowed to settle into his new role before taking over from Allan Jess as SAMW president.

"Alan is taking on a big job at ANM and it’s only fair to let him concentrate on that task. While I obviously have my own business interests to consider, I’m happy to be able to give Alan a few extra months before handing over the presidency," said Jess, who will complete three years as SAMW president at the association’s AGM in April.

Craig said he was "grateful" for the SAMW’s flexibility on the matter, adding that, "Becoming CEO of ANM group is clearly of major importance to me and the company.

"At the same time, I remain deeply committed to SAMW, which I believe has a vital role to play in helping to ensure the processing industry in Scotland is free to function efficiently and effectively to the benefit of everyone involved in the whole meat chain," he said.