Noble Foods boss to attend AGM
The chief executive of the UK's biggest and newest egg packing company has accepted an invitation to address producers at BFREPA's annual general meeting.
The meeting—which is restricted to members of the Association—is always run on the morning of the free range conference held in November. This year BFREPA's ruling council felt that it would be beneficial for members to meet Michael Kent, the man running Noble Foods.
"The merger of the UK's two biggest packers came as something of a shock to all of us," said BFREPA chairman Tom Vesey. "It's understandable that producers may have some anxieties about the move and this year's AGM will offer a chance to air them. We are delighted that Mr Kent has taken up the invitation to join us."
Likewise Mr Kent said he was looking forward to attending the event and meeting BFREPA members face-to-face.
"I'll be happy to answer any questions producers may have about the future," Mr Kent told the Ranger.
"The egg industry is going through a difficult period at the moment and is having to undergo considerable restructuring.
"But one thing is for sure and that is that the free range and organic sector has a bright future. And producers are absolutely vital to the success of Noble Foods. Without them the new company is nothing which is why we are doing everything we can to restore profitability at farm level."
As reported in last month's Ranger the conference—which is open to anyone who pre-registers—will feature key speakers from across the globe, including Mr John Campbell OBE who in a single generation has built up Scotland's most successful egg marketing operation, Glenrath Farms, and which is now ranked as the UK's second largest packer when it comes to share of retail business.
And addressing a poultry producers' conference in the UK for the first time will be world-renowned speakers Dr Donald McNamara, executive director of the Egg Nutrition Centre in Washington DC, and Austria's Willi Kallhammer, chairman of the International Egg Commission. Watch out for profiles of all the speakers in future editions of the Ranger.
The event will once again be held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire but this time features a new conference hall that can seat up to 500 delegates.
"The free range conference is undoubtedly the most successful of all the poultry conferences and as a result has outgrown the facilities previously used," says Louise Butler of event sponsors Hy-Line UK.
"Not only have we secured a larger room for the conference but this year delegates will be greeted by a more spacious reception area. The trade stands will remain where they have always been in the large hall which has proved so popular in the past with both exhibitors and delegates.
"We are confident that this year's conference will be the best ever."
The free range conference will be held on Thursday 23 November and registration forms will be sent out to all Ranger readers in due course.
For further details contact Hy-Line UK on 01527 850221 or firstpost@hyline.co.uk
