In an unprecedented step the four main specialist livestock trade associations representing the English livestock industry have unanimously rejected the call from NFU President Peter Kendall, made at the recent NFU conference, for English beef and sheep farmers' levy money to be used collectively for all sectors of GB agriculture.

In a joint statement, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, the Livestock Auctioneers Association, the National Beef Association and the National Sheep Association have reiterated their support for the original Radcliffe vision of levy board reform. However the view of the associations is that this vision seems to be at odds to the current direction of AHDB, on the face of it supported by NFU, which appears to be moving towards a super' levy board controlling major areas of expenditure with very limited responsibilities being handed down to those representing the individual sectors. The Statement reads "Levy Board Reform was heralded as an opportunity for English beef and sheep levy payers to fully engage with their levy body and work together to help a sector which has been suffering from years of low prices, high input costs, an increased regulatory burden as well as a poorly functioning supply chain.

"Instead, AHDB has seen this as an opportunity to engineer a centralising move to Stoneleigh putting the experienced and skilled staff base in all existing levy boards at risk. Now with the first sod of dirt not yet dug NFU are already seemingly promoting the centralising agenda of their new neighbours. The specialist livestock organisations do not believe this is in the best interests of English beef and sheep levy payers.

"This centralisation theme takes in Research and Development, where English beef and sheep producers have always wanted their money spent in areas that can provide direct and immediate solutions to the problems they currently face. The specialist livestock organisations believe livestock levies should not be used to fund research projects which are of more use to those sectors already in the happy and deserved position of being in profit.

"The opposition to the centralising principle also includes marketing funds, where the NFU has already publicly stated that it wants English livestock levies earmarked for marketing to be used exclusively to support the development of one logo that would cover all sectors. This untested strategy appears to be inherently flawed, clearly ties the NFU too closely to the major retailers and consequently reduces the opportunities for the beef and sheep industries in England to develop alternative and potentially more lucrative supply chains.

"Although it may not be welcomed by the major retailers and their allies, the specialist livestock organisations believe that it is in the best interests of English beef and sheep levy payers to promote their product using quality based standards that extend throughout the supply chain and that don't rely exclusively on farm assurance and an inhibited reference to provenance "One logo, presumably the Red Tractor which is owned by the NFU but not all levy payers, might feel comfortable for them as they seek to please all sectors but the reality is that moving towards this even more supermarket orientated marketing strategy would, for the livestock sector reduce the number of buyers looking for assured stock in our auction markets, weaken vital export opportunities and place downward pressure on prices.

"In both cases it will be the English livestock industry which ends up paying for everyone else's benefit while our colleagues in Scotland and Wales quite rightly take full advantage of the true spirit of levy reform. Scottish and Welsh producers are not going to desert their own established meat logos and fund one common logo covering all of GB, so why should English livestock producers not be allowed to differentiate their product in the same way.

"The deluded dream of a levy board palace and an all powerful centralised board, espoused by the big boys looking down from on high, is a million miles away from the aspirations and needs of family run livestock farms - the grass roots of our industry - which are struggling to make ends meet. It also totally reverses the progress made in openness, accountability and closer communications with levy payers which has been a feature of the management style under the current structure.

"We now call on all English beef and sheep levy payers to contact their representatives and ensure their concerns are heard. As specialist livestock organisations we will continue to work in the best interests of English beef and sheep levy payers and press the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board not to be selective in the voices it is listening to. We will continue to oppose an over zealous centralising agenda and never forget our joint remit that is to ensure that the best interests of all beef and sheep levy payers are represented as strongly as possible.

"We would also call on the NFU and AHDB to come to the table and discuss the issues properly with the specialist livestock associations. We also all believe that the debate on these issues should be held properly in the public domain with all beef and sheep levy payers having the chance to make a meaningful input into how their levies are spent."