Gildernew announces review of the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC)

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced an independent strategic review of the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

The review’s aims are to address the LMC’s functions, structural and funding arrangements.

Speaking after a meeting with Mr Pat O’Rourke, Chair and David Rutledge, Chief Executive of the LMC, the Minister said: “The LMC has been subject to reviews in the past and I believe that it is timely for one to be conducted now. This strategic review will help identify a model which will deliver the best results, for those stakeholders who pay a levy to the LMC.”

"The review is being carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In the coming weeks they will be seeking the views of stakeholders as part of their consultation process."

The Minister added: “I would encourage all those involved to engage fully with the consultation process, to help ensure that we get the best outcome for our industry.”

LMC Chairman Pat O’Rourke, said: “LMC’s over-riding vision is for a sustainable and profitable future for the Northern Ireland beef and sheepmeat industry at all levels of the supply chain. However, as an executive non departmental public body, we are bound by stringent red-tape at a European and regional government level which is severely restricting the way in which we can do business. The Board and Executive Team at LMC have been calling for a fundamental review of the role of LMC and the legislative environment in which we operate for quite some time and, we are delighted that the process has now begun with the appointment of PWC.”

In addition to the programme of stakeholder consultations planned by PwC as part of the review, a website has been developed to capture stakeholder responses. The website address is www.lmcreview2009.co.uk. The website will be open from 19 August to 17 September.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland, which was established in 1967, has the general duty of assisting the development of the livestock (cattle and sheep) and livestock products sectors of the local agri-food industry. It provides a range of services to producers and meat traders including market intelligence and promotion and beef and lamb carcase classification. It also administers the Farm Quality Assurance Scheme and market support arrangements for local beef and lamb (the latter as agent of the Rural Payments Agency). It is currently spear-heading the work of the Red Meat Task Force.

2. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) were successful in a recent procurement competition and were awarded the consultancy contract for the strategic review of LMC. It is expected that the review’s report will be delivered to the Minister for consideration before the end of 2009.

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