David Raine

This year's winner of The Royal Smithfield Club's prestigious annual award for outstanding service to the British meat and livestock industry is David Raine (52) of Penrith, Cumbria, it was announced today (Saturday, October 29th).

Twenty-six outstanding candidates from different sectors of the industry were considered by the Royal Smithfield Club Selection Panel and the winner was revealed during a reception at the Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, by last year's winner, Norman Bagley, Director of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS).

The presentation to David Raine of the Club's prestigious Bicentenary Perpetual Trophy, an armada dish set with 25 golden guineas, valued at £11,000, will be made at the Worshipful Company of Butchers Court Luncheon on Thursday, November 3rd by Mr Fred Mallion, Past Master of The Company and winner of the Trophy in 2001.

Partner in family farming business

David Raine is a partner in the family farming business at Old Parks, Kirkoswald, Penrith, covering 5000 acres (2100 hectares) of hill and lowland Cumbria.

The farm's main enterprises are a 500 head suckler beef herd, renowned pedigree flocks of Blue Leicester and Swaledale sheep and a 5000 Texel cross commercial breeding flock.

In addition, in his spare time David has demonstrated a real commitment to helping the industry way beyond the farm gate. His involvement with the National Sheep Association began over 25 years ago, soon leading to roles on the Northern Regional Council and involvement both locally and at national level with the National Farmers Union.

This led to an active role in the National Sheep Association, contributing to the industry at a national level. He is currently Chairman Elect, having already served one term as Chairman from 1996 to 2000.

At the same time David was a key member of the Meat and Livestock Commission Sheep Strategy Council, with the role of Chairman between 1998 and 2002, and still leads many key research projects.

He then became even more involved in the total meat and livestock industry as Vice-chairman of the English Beef and Lamb Executive. He has chaired the hugely successful Better Returns Programme, aimed at helping farmers identify how to improve their business with practical hands-on advice and guidance, using much of the output from the various research projects he oversees.

David's nominees for the award ranged from practical farmers through processors to national industry organisations.