All articles by Michael Barker – Page 10
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Dairy industry fears flood of imports will drive prices down
Fears the UK could be flooded with cheap imported dairy products are growing after the EU agreed concessions allowing certain member states to increase production. In the run-up to the abolition of milk quotas in 2015, EU...
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Meat strikes called off as union reaches agreement
Fears of a Christmas shortage of meat have been quelled after inspectors reached agreement with the Meat Hygiene Service over pay.Unison called off the planned strike on Tuesday just hours after announcing that a walkout would take place...
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NewsRelief as meat inspectors call off strike threat
Meat hygiene inspectors have called off a planned strike, just hours after announcing that a walkout would take place next week.
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NewsMeat promotions entice consumers to splash cash
Meat lovers can find plenty to cheer about with a number of key lines coming down in price this month. Michael Barker and Richard Ford report
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Own-label contract wins boost profit at Milk Link
Milk Link has reported solid half-year results on the back of a number of new contract wins this year.Turnover at the farmer-owned co-op was up 18% to £278m, while pre-tax profit rose 24% to £9.3m. Group EBITDA rose 14% to £17.5m.The...
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Soil Association warns of need for food plan
Britain needs a "food plan" to feed the population with healthy, environmentally friendly food in a future where fuel and resources are scarce, a new report has claimed
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Massive wave of M&A activity forecast for fresh
The fresh food sector should brace itself for a fresh wave of M&A activity as companies look to access new markets and expand product lines by buying up the competition.This year there have been a number of high-profile acquisitions,...
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Weak global market set to hit processor results
Robert Wiseman and Dairy Crest have warned that next year's results are likely to be hit by the weakening global market for dairy.Bulk cream returns had nosedived as international demand had fallen, Wiseman reported, with further falls...
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Potts to lead Nom Dairy plans to make yoghurt in the UK
Dairy Farmers of Britain commercial director David Potts has left to become MD of the newly-formed UK arm of Austrian dairy giant Nom Dairy.
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Dairy Farmers of Britain rejects cash-flow rumours
Dairy Farmers of Britain has vehemently denied speculation it is in trouble.
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Industry anger at EU for skipping risk assessment
The EU's decision not to order an impact assessment of its proposed pesticide reforms has been blasted by fresh produce industry representatives.Last week, the EU Environment Committee voted to continue with its plan to restrict the number...
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Locally sourced food to hit £15.6bn by 2018
Locally sourced food has the potential to account for 10% of food sales within a decade if the industry adopts a more collaborative approach, a new report has claimed.
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Renton's 'nose for innovation' sniffed out for Milk Link job
Former Uniq and Tesco executive Hamish Renton has been appointed to the newly created position of marketing director at Milk Link to help drive the company's adventurous NPD plans.The farmer-owned co-operative created the position to help...
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RSPCA welfare fears over stocking density
Animal welfare concerns need to be fully allayed before Freedom Food follows the egg industry's lead in doubling the maximum number of free-range hens allowed on British farms, the RSPCA has said. The British Egg Industry Council has amended...
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English apples boosted by supermarket support
Sainsbury's, Morrisons and the Co-op have all been praised for their support of English apples at the start of the 2008/09 season.The three retailers had all invested heavily in TV campaigns urging shoppers to buy English apples, according...
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All work and no pay
Dire wages, poor working conditions and long hours are a fact of life for seasonal workers. Michael Barker joined a GLA investigation to find out just how tough conditions are under the gangmasters
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Strike action threatens festive red meat supply
Chipolatas, Christmas ham, beef Wellington and pigs-in-blankets could all be off the menu this Christmas. Meat inspectors have threatened to carry out strikes over the festive season that could bring the meat production industry to a standstill.
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Lurpak downsizes block butter to beat wastage
Lurpak has launched an audacious bid to create a mini sub-sector of the block butter category with the development of a 50g pack.
Believed to be a first in a category where the overwhelming majority of products are 250g, the new size of… -
NewsSausage prices dip sharply following year-long rises
Meat prices have been moving in only one direction recently, but this month has seen an abrupt change of fortunes. Michael Barker reports
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Dairy prices may fall as demand stagnates
Global dairy prices are likely to fall as demand stagnates over the next year and consumers in key growth areas save cash for other food categories. This was the stark prediction of senior Rabobank dairy analysts ahead of the publication of their...