By Gary Ford, head of strategy and producer engagement, BFREPA
It is, in some respects, this time of year when that autumn feel is very much in the air accompanied with the children going back to school (it perhaps inwardly reminds us of a powerful time when we were growing up which you never forget) and the day length getting palpably shorter, that we reflect on the year and the months ahead.
Some of this reflection manifests itself in perhaps those of our friends and family who are no longer with us. This is particularly the case if we have suffered grief over the past year, and of course, beyond. One great stalwart of the industry that we have recently lost is Aled Griffiths. Aled will be remembered as a gentleman, as a visionary, as someone who was passionate and committed to poultry, people and his family. The agri-business that he created, alongside his committed family, from very modest beginnings, is something that he was rightly proud of and hugely respected for throughout the industry. One of Aled’s greatest strengths was the passion he showed for people which also manifested itself as support just when it was needed. I was honoured that Aled wrote to me when I started at the NFU as the Chief Poultry Adviser in 2013 and again when I started at the BEIC ten years later. To receive such letters of support from a man of Aled’s standing in the industry was very humbling and powerful.
Recognition is something that is not often given as busy lives often mean that there is insufficient time to reflect. One aspect of recognition that we do do well however in the poultry sector are awards. Poultry Business led the way a couple of months ago with the National Egg and Poultry Awards, in early October we have the Farmers Weekly Awards with three very worthy candidates who, I am really pleased to say, all represent the free-range egg sector. The year is rounded off by our very own awards held at our annual conference and awards dinner in Telford on 27 November. I hope to see you all there for what is always a very enjoyable and well supported event importantly recognising achievement in our sector.