David Torrens

Biography

David Torrens - Member of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee

David grew up on a mixed farm in Co Londonderry and worked as a vet in mainly farm animal practice for seven years, before joining the Department of Agriculture.  Here he was involved in the control of enzootic, epizootic and zoonotic animal diseases – dealing with Salmonella, bovine TB and Brucellosis, BSE, Newcastle Disease and Foot & Mouth Disease – and assuring animal welfare on farms, in livestock markets and at slaughter premises all across Northern Ireland.
 
David also worked in the control of animal medicines and growth promoters, and was at the heart of the development of Northern Ireland’s cattle and sheep identification and traceability systems and associated mechanisms for support of trade and consumer assurance for many years.  He has also been responsible for the Department’s delivery (on behalf of the FSA) of Official Controls in Northern Ireland meat plants.
 
David has an MBA in Public Administration, and after leaving the Department of Agriculture and Rural AFFAIRS (DAERA) he continues to be involved with the food and agriculture industries as a Non-Executive Director of the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland, and as the Northern Ireland representative on the British Veterinary Association’s Policy Committee.

David enjoys singing with the Ballymoney Male Voice Choir and is an elder in First Garvagh Presbyterian Church.