Don Curry knighted for meat industry services
Don Curry knighted for meat industry services
By Isabel Davies
YEARS of work on behalf of the meat and livestock industries has earned Don Curry, former chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission, a knighthood in the Queens Birthday Honours list.
Mr Curry, who was awarded a CBE in 1997, stepped down as MLC chairman in January after a seven-year term.
Over many years, Mr Curry has combined running his own 730ha (1800 acre) farm in Northumberland with a range of other commitments.
He has held positions with the MLC, NFU, Council of Food for Britain as well as Farm Assured British Beef and Lamb (FABBL). His most recent appointment has been to the Scottish Agricultural College Group Board.
There were a number of other awards for the farming and food industries:
CBE
David Bills, for services to the Forestry Commission; James Hunter, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise for services to the Highlands and Islands; Professor Peter Smith, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for services to the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee and tropical disease research; Professor Peter Stanley, lately chief executive of Central Science Laboratory, DEFRA; Professor Hubert Woods for services to the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.
OBE
Joanne Denney, chief executive of the Institute of Grocery Distribution for services to the food and the grocery trade; Henry Fetherstonhaugh, Royal Welsh Show director for services to the Forestry Commission; John Harris, senior executive with McCain Foods for services to the potato processing industry; Henry Murdoch, NFU Scotland for services to agriculture; John Phillips, for services to agriculture in Wales; Robert Watson for services to the meat industry.
MBE
Margaret Barnes, lately manager, Scottish Seed Potato Classification Scheme, Scottish Executive; Rosemary Carpenter for services to plant biology; Joan Duncan for services to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust; Lisbeth Grundy, director, Council for Environmental Education, services to sustainable development; Thomas Hartley, farmworker for services to agriculture in Nottinghamshire; John Keylock, founder member of the Somerset Wildlife Trust for services to nature conservation; John MacDonald for services to crofting and to the community in North Uist, Western Scotland; George Mackay, potato breeder with the Scottish Crop Research Institute for services to plant breeding; Philip Merricks for services to conservation in agriculture; Anne Perchand for services to Jersey cattle; Robert Poole, columnist and author for services to journalism and rural affairs; John Taylor, chair of National Framework Management Committee, Meat Training Council; Michael Williams, for services to agriculture, biodiversity and the environment in East Lothian. *