The City Meat Lecture 2025: Insight and Expertise in Focus
Published on: 27 November 2025
The Worshipful Company of Butchers was delighted to welcome the meat and wider food community to Butchers’ Hall on 26 November for The City Meat Lecture 2025, proudly sponsored by ABP UK The lecture explored: “Is there a role for livestock and meat in modern society?”
Open to both Liverymen and non-Liverymen, this year’s lecture delivered exactly what it promised: a topical, insightful and balanced exploration of a question at the heart of national debate — “Is there a role of livestock and meat in a modern society?”
Keynote by World-Leading Food Security Expert
We were honoured to welcome Professor Chris Elliott OBE, PhD, FRSC, FRSB, MRIA, as our 2025 keynote speaker. Founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast and Senior Scientific Advisor to several UN agencies, Professor Elliott is internationally recognised for his leadership in food safety and authenticity — including his independent review of the UK food system following the 2013 horsemeat scandal.
With clarity and authority, Professor Elliott examined the evidence behind the meat debate, challenging prevailing narratives while highlighting opportunities for continued innovation, responsible livestock production and informed consumer choice.
Professor Chris Elliott Slides I The City Meat Lecture 2025
Topic: Is there a role for livestock and meat in modern society?
Expert Panel for a Lively and Constructive Debate
Following the keynote, a dynamic Q&A panel — facilitated by Chairman Assistant Stuart Roberts — brought together respected voices from across the food system:
- Baroness Minette Batters, former President of the NFU and current crossbench member of the House of Lords, known for her advocacy of British farming and sustainable food production.
- Jez Fredenburgh, senior analyst on food and climate at the Energy, Climate and Intelligence Unit, and a seasoned journalist and communications specialist in agriculture, food systems and climate research.
Together they discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the livestock sector, addressing questions from the audience with evidence-based insight and refreshing openness.
Thank You to Everyone Who Attended
Our sincere thanks go to:
- Professor Chris Elliott for his compelling and thought-provoking lecture
- Our expert panellists for their engagement and expertise
- ABP UK for sponsorship of this important industry event
- All guests for contributing to a rich and meaningful discussion