Consumers, climate and challenge

CHALLENGES facing the meat industry, including climate change, emerging consumer trends and changes in EU regulations, will be highlighted at the 2007 Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) Outlook conference.

The event, which each year draws around 200 business leaders, bankers and top industry representatives, will be held on January 30 at its traditional venue - 1 Great George Street, London.

Among the speakers for the morning session will be Dr David Viner of the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, Paul Flatters of The Future Foundation and Matt Dempsey of the Irish Farmers Journal.

The afternoon sessions will explore the market outlooks for the coming year in the sheep and beef sector and in the pig sector and will be chaired by the English Beef and Lamb Executive and the British Pig Executive.

Stephen Rossides, MLC Head of Policy, said: "The Conference aims to explore issues which will - or are likely to - impact the red meat industry in the longer term, and to help delegates decide how they can respond and seize possible opportunities."

Tickets, which cost £170 (plus VAT) including lunch, are obtainable from MLC via rita_webb@mlc.org.uk or Tel: 01908 844138