text: Back in the real world after my training course, we’ve all been suffering election fever here at the NPA. By the time this edition of Pig World is printed, we’ll know who has been elected to form our Producer Group and Allied Industry Group, and the process will have begun to determine the next chairman of the association. Richard Longthorp will certainly be a tough act to follow.
  The first shocker this month was a meeting with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) about new medicated feed regulations that are being drafted by the EC. The VMD will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations in the UK, and our discussions have revealed deeply disturbing targets, but I’m not convinced that it has entirely bought into our concerns.
  Numbers appear to have been plucked from thin air with no evidence to back them up – just as long as they’re lower than whatever went before – and the feed industry tells us they’re impossible to achieve. And suggestions that vets must examine every animal before prescribing are not practical at all for large populations, and not even possible for aquaculture!
  Home mill and mixers will also be affected by this craziness, so we need to be aware and engaged in what’s being proposed. What’s even more concerning is the speed at which this is being pushed through. The EC wants it all wrapped up by August this year; we certainly have some work to do.
  The second shocker was a meeting that Lizzie and I had with the Deer Initiative to discuss the feral wild boar problem. Apparently the population in the Forest of Dean and surrounding area is already estimated to be more than 1,000 animals, and the Forestry Commission openly admits it has failed to control the population growth – it has only managed to cull 15% of the population instead of taking out 53%!
  Based on current breeding patterns, the population could reach 10,000 animals by 2017 if not controlled. This means that should we get a notifiable disease in the area, it would be impossible to prove disease freedom, so goodbye export markets! Obviously this is not something that we’re happy about, so have offered to get involved and help.
  On the plus side, most of the special interest groups, like the RSPCA, RSPB and Wildlife Trust, are supportive of reducing the population to a “sustainable level” that’s yet to be defined. If I had my way it would be a population of two, and the male would be vasectomised.
  The NPA travelled out to Brussels last week for a breakfast that was hosted by Vicky Ford MEP. Vicky, who has always been a staunch supporter of the British pig industry, has given us a platform to promote British pork and our higher-welfare systems to officials at the European Parliament and other MEPs.
  Our aim was to challenge the EC’s continued lack of enforcement of the partial sow stall ban, but we also wanted to launch the NPA manifesto that’s been specifically designed for MEPs with a list of “asks” for our sector.
  > Dr Zoë Davies is chief executive of the NPA.
  For more information visit: www.npa-uk.org.uk
  Get Our E-Newsletter - Pig World's best stories in your in-box twice a week
  See e-newsletter example
  Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy
  Print
  Email
  Related
  Share. Twitter Facebook Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
  About The Author
  PW Reporters	
  Related Articles
  March 3, 2021 0	
  Fighting the industry’s corner on many fronts
  November 3, 2020 0	
  The big issues keeping the NPA busy
  March 6, 2020 0	
  Preparing for coronavirus and ASF
  Recent Posts
  What’s Trending?
  December 1, 2021 0 Straw prices for the week ending December 5, 2021
  December 1, 2021 0 GB pig prices for week ending November 27, 2021 – SPP down again
  November 29, 2021 0 Backlog grows as factory breakdowns compound industry woes
  April 27, 2016 0 Innovations headline at 2016 Pig Fair
  December 1, 2021 0 Straw prices for the week ending December 5, 2021
  December 1, 2021 0 GB pig prices for week ending November 27, 2021 – SPP down again
  November 29, 2021 0 Backlog grows as factory breakdowns compound industry woes
  Current Pig Industry Jobs
  Pig Stockperson/Maintenance Person – Ref 1097 Cambridge
  cambridgeshire
  Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
  Full Time
  Pig Stockperson – Ref 1100 North Yorkshire
  North Yorkshire
  Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
  Full Time
  Pig Stockperson – Ref 1099 Dorset
  Dorset
  Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
  Full Time
  Find Pig Industry Suppliers
  Company Name
  Business Category
  – Choose One – Abattoirs Animal Disposal Incinerators Knackermen Animal Health Other Animal Health Supplements Vaccines Worming Animal Identification Electronic ID Tagging Systems Auctioneers Bedding Materials Biosecurity Disinfectants / Cleaning Products Fencing General Cleaning Pressure washers Security Systems Breeding AI Equipment Breeding Companies Geneticists Building Full Service Contractors Material Consultants Employment / Recruitment Agencies Energy Electricity Gas Renewable Energy Anaerobic Digesters Biomass Heat Pumps Hydro Power Other Energy Solar Power Wind Power Equipment General Equipment Pumps Retail Equipment Silos Farm Machinery / Transport ATVs Farm Supplies Companies Feed Trailers Materials Handlers Other Machinery Tractors Feed By-Products Other By-Products Whey Compounders Creep Feed Finisher Rations Grower Rations Sow Rations Weaner Rations Dry Feed Systems Growth Enhancers and Additives Enzymes vitamins Liquid Feed Systems Mill & Mix Milling Equipment Mobile Mills Storage Nutritionists Straights Suppliers Grains Soya Finance Accountancy Banking / Loans Insurance Other Finance Hauliers Health and Safety Housing Farrowing Accommodation Indoor Drinking Systems Environmental Control Farrowing Crates Feed Handling / Feeders Flooring Insulation Lighting Sow Stalls / Pens Temperature Control Turnkey Suppliers Ventilation Outdoor Drinking Pig Huts Polytunnels Tents Industry Organisations and Bodies IT Equipment Hardware Software Laboratories and Analysis Feedstuffs Other Laboratory Livestock Lorry Container Builders Marketing Groups Odour Control Pest control Insect Rodents Slurry Digestate Slurry Management Tanks Training Veterinary Practices Supplies Weighing Machines