Gildernew re-appoints Livestock and Meat Commission Chair

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has announced the re-appointment of Mr Owen Brennan as the Chairman to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

Mr Brennan has been re-appointed for an additional five months from 1 November 2008 to 31 March 2009.

Confirming the re-appointment the minister said: “Mr Brennan has a wealth of experience and I wish to thank him for all his good work as LMC chair during a difficult time for the industry. This short extension of his appointment will enable him to continue to contribute to the work of the LMC as it addresses the issues in the Red Meat Task Force Report. I consider that this extension is in the best interests of the livestock and livestock products industries at this time.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Mr Brennan graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in Agriculture and later qualified with an MBA from the Smurfit Business School. He is managing director of Devenish Nutrition and has a strong marketing background in agri-business. Mr Brennan is a past president of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association.
2. Mr Brennan does not hold any other public appointments. He has not been involved in any political activities during the last five years.
3. 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 Northern Ireland 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 beef and lamb in Northern Ireland (the latter as agent of the Rural Payments Agency).
4. The appointment is made under section 1 of the Livestock Marketing Commission Act (Northern Ireland) 1967. The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice. This short extension beyond the normal two terms for public appointments has been agreed by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
5. The post attracts a remuneration of £16,975 per annum.
6. The Red Meat Task Force Report which looks at the long term viability of the red meat sector was published in October 2007. The work stemming from the report aims to assist the red meat industry to adapt to a market-led position independent of production related support and is on-going.
7. All media queries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.