i) Sale of majority stake in ASDA brings opportunity for British produce
The Lancashire based billionaire Issa brothers who own the petrol station ‘European Garages’ (EG) Group and private equity firm TDR Capital have secured the £6.8 billion majority stake in major UK retailer ASDA.
More than £1 billion will be invested into the supermarket supply chain over the next three years including a commitment towards 100% british dairy, potatoes and fresh beef, posing as a ‘significant’ increase in demand from UK beef producers.
ii) New Chairman elected to Dairy UK Board
Following his three-year term as Chair of the Dairy UK Board, Paul Vernon, Chief Executive of Glanbia Cheese has stepped down and Ash Amirahmadi has been elected as his successor.
Also elected at the Dairy UK AGM where Vice-Chairs Tom Atherton of Saputo Dairy UK and Shelagh Hancock of First Milk, and Mike Chatters of Lactalis Mclelland as Treasurer.
iii) EU sales of antibiotics for livestock down by one third
Results from the 2018 report from the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (ESVAC) show that the sales of antibiotics for farm animals reduced by more than one third since 2011.
The UK has the fifth-lowest sales of antibiotics for livestock use in Europe at 71% below the EU average by mg/PCU, although UK-specific figures are yet to be released.
The 2020 targets set by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) in 2017 are now due to be reviewed and new targets will be set for the 2021-24 period.