Distinguished service award for Moy Park executive

Moy Park, Northern Ireland's biggest food company, has won a major award from the British Poultry Council (BPC).

Moy Park executive David Harkin, Moy Park's Company Broiler Manager GB, gained a Distinguished Service Award at BPC's annual awards at the House of Commons in London, one of just six awards made at the industry's most prestigious events.

Headquartered at Craigavon in county Armagh, Moy Park is among the most successful companies in poultry processing. It is Northern Ireland's only £1 billion plus company and among the most innovative businesses.

The BPC awards recognise those individuals which have contributed to the UK industry's growth. The awards were presented by Agriculture minister George Eustace.

BPC chairman John Reed, speaking at the awards, said they ranged "from those just starting their careers right through to those who have given distinguished service over a longer period".

"We are an important food and farming sector with a responsibility to feed the nation with wholesome, nutritious, and affordable produce."

He said the UK industry employed 85,000 people and it was important that it was able to continuing sourcing labour from the UK and EU. Of all the issues surrounding the EU referendum, this was the "most urgent". The BPC called on the government to ensure the industry was still able to access the labour it required to continue its growth.

"All our employees, regardless of nationality, have been integral to our success and our growth," he added. "If we are to continue in the same vein, then the open approach to sourcing labour must be maintained. We cannot continue to grow on UK labour alone.

"Food and farming is our largest manufacturing sector with the potential to be the stalwart of British productivity for generations to come, and poultry meat will be a major part of that."