February 28, 2007

BPEX Appoints New Chairman

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs or Defra in the United Kingdom has chosen English pig industry leader Stewart Houston to be chairman of the new British Pig Executive (BPEX) when it is set up next year as part of government levy board reform.

BPEX2008 will answer to a new superboard called Levy Board UK, which will be chaired by Defra appointee John Bridge, who has held a number of high-profile non-agricultural public appointments.

A decision has yet to be taken on where Levy Board UK will be based and whether BPEX2008 will be based at the same place.

Initially Defra said the board of the new BPEX would be appointed, not elected.

However, with the exception of the chairmanship, which remains within the gift of Defra (as with the current BPEX) it is now expected BPEX2008 will be allowed to hold elections for its board, as it does at present.

Stewart Houston, who is current chairman of BPEX, and also chairman of National Pig Association, said his priority will be - as it has always been - a profitable pig industry. 

He also vowed to look for efficient ways to reduce costs but sustaining quality as well as sharing services among trade players and active interaction in different sectors to gain further understanding and development of the industry.

He said BPEX would become a company limited by guarantee - with all the implications that brings in terms of corporate responsibility - but its main job would remain to deliver for levy-payers.