MOY PARK'S CAMPBELL EARNS MOST PRESTIGIOUS INDUSTRY AWARD

Dr Trefor Campbell, only recently made chairman of the Moy Park Group, has this month been awarded with the title of the BOCM Pauls Man of the Year – itself probably one of the most prestigious accolades in the GB poultry industry as the judges are themselves leaders in their fields.

Accepting the award in London, Dr Campbell spoke of his 30 years steering Moy Park to where it is today - a leading poultry business operating on a European scale employing some 7000 people with annual sales of around £700m.

“If there is a secret to Moy Park’s success it is our substantial and sustained investment in to two most important P’s – our People and Plants. Few if any food businesses have done this on our scale over the past 2-3 years.

“In 2004 Moy Park effectively doubled in size, with the full backing of OSI, its major shakeholder. Acquiring two established poultry businesses, Dove Valley and GW Padley, would have been a big step forward by any reckoning. I would say because of our continued investment in developing our people, we took these moves in our stride,” explained Campbell

In 2006 the Group rejuvenated the original Padley site at Anwick, Lincolnshire, to make it world class on every level – from animal welfare to process technologies and finished product. This came at a cost of £28m, a similar amount to the £30m invested in Moy Park’s Northern Ireland primary processing site at Dungannon (Co Tyrone).

“Having invested in some of the best people around, I urge them to look beyond today’s horizon and into the future. Support for British farmers is essential if we are to have food security in the future. Our industry is fast moving and has become truly global, so much so it’s easy to get so caught up in the present we are in real danger of not plotting out our future,” opinioned Campbell.

“Chicken is quite the most versatile food and millions enjoy eating it day after day in all its many presentations. Never forget, it is also one of Man’s most efficiently produced proteins. As communities develop it’s a fact they aspire to eating meat. It’s time for our industry to blow its own trumpet loudly and more often about the merits of such a great food.

“The facts are simple – chicken is one of the healthiest foods on sale today and our consumers can enjoy it free of any negative connotations whatsoever,” argued Campbell.

He then continued with his well versed mantra, that ‘quality is remembered, long after the price is forgotten’.

He also warned his audience about misleading consumers at one’s peril. “Fresh food cannot be chicken that’s been shipped thousands of miles deep frozen only to be sold off in the UK as ‘fresh’ once it’s been thawed most likely months old. We need the politicians and all others whose interest and mandate is consumer protection to outlaw such an unsavoury and downright dangerous practice,” he stressed.

The BOCM Pauls Award began back in 1953 and is regarded as the poultry industry’s highest accolade. The winner must be of the highest calibre having made an outstanding contribution to the poultry sector over and above the normal call of duty.