Andy Foot, the chairman of the South West NFU’s livestock board, has given his full backing to Stuart Roberts, who has resigned as chairman of the AHDB beef and lamb sector board.

Mr Roberts resigned because of the Government’s refusal to sign-off a budget set aside for promoting British meat, resulting in the loss of a planned TV advertising campaign.

“It is vital that AHDB Beef and Lamb ensures that the work it undertakes best meets the needs of the industry on behalf of levy payers, and I am furious that this disgraceful situation has arisen,” said Mr Foot.

“With increased lamb supply this year and falling prices a number of modest activities were scheduled for late summer and early autumn to highlight the versatility and availability of the product. However, for reasons that are not completely clear the levy payers’ funds required to do this have not been made available.

“Stuart has my complete support, and we must now stay united and send the message that it is essential that levy payers’ money is spent in the way levy payers want it to be spent.”