NBA future secure, say leaders

NATIONAL BEEF Association leaders have insisted that the organisation’s future is not in doubt.

At the NBA’s Beef Expo 2005 at the Royal Welsh Showground, chief executive Robert Forster did his best to play down strong rumours of a  breakaway by Scottish members and a pullout by big breed societies.

Scottish producers make up 25% of the NBA’s 3000 members and about 1000 producers are covered by breed society affiliation fees.

Mr Forster and NBA chairman Robert Robinson admitted that a Scottish pullout would be a blow, but they were confident that a deal had been struck with the societies at a meeting on the showground.

Mr Forster would not comment on allegations of strong membership dissatisfaction with the state of the NBA’s finances or about a row over the appointment of an extra member of staff.

“We have reserves of £45,000 and are quite happy with the business position” he insisted.

He added that the organisation was well run and would remain an effective lobbying force on behalf of the beef industry.