NBA appoints new chairman

The National Beef Association has voted out chairman Christopher Thomas-Everard.

The NBA made the decision to end Mr Thomas-Everard’s two-year term as chairman following its AGM this week (18 August).

He has been replaced by County Down beef farmer Oisin Murnion, who has been the NBA’s Northern Ireland chairman for the last two years.

Mr Thomas-Everard became chairman in 2008, initially for a one-year term.

But he was asked to continue his role thanks to his work on bovine tuberculosis and climate change.

Mike Powley, NBA board director, said the association had consolidated its financial position and raised its political influence.

“The board feels it is now very close to being able to map out the route that will take the association to a new and much higher level,” he said.

“Oisin Murnion will chair the NBA through the period in which these plans are finalised and then we will take these to the membership for approval.”

Mr Powley said the NBA was grateful for Mr Thomas-Everard for helping the association lift membership and develop closer ties with government.

“His efforts on TB eradication and climate change will be remembered most,” he added.

“Christopher refused to accept that TB could be reduced, never mind eradicated, through cattle movement controls alone – and so he steps down knowing that the coalition government’s recent consultation on an English badger cull brings a more effective approach to overall TB reduction much closer.

“On top of this he quickly identified that the contribution cattle make to climate change through methane is almost completely neutralised by the ability of the pasture they graze to soak up huge tonnages of carbon that would otherwise add to the pressures climate change is creating.”

“The NBA wishes Christopher well, and hopes he enjoys his well earned rest,” Mr Powley added.

In a letter to NBA members, Mr Thomas-Everard said he had “hugely enjoyed” his time as chairman and felt he had made a difference in arguments surrounding global warming.

“As a result of such efforts it is slowly becoming accepted that grazing cattle and sheep are greatly beneficial in reducing global warming – rather than being accused of being a principal cause,” the letter said.