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The
British Pig Association (BPA) has been very active in Asia during the last
four months with visits to the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
BPA took with them representatives of commercial pig breeding companies
– the British breeders participated in exhibitions and arranged seminars
for industry leaders.
Meetings in Vietnam with the Minister of Agriculture lead
to a positive outcome and agreement has been reached for a UK-Vietnam
pig export certificate. There is considerable interest in the breeding
stock that the UK can offer, the Vietnamese see the commercial advantages
of using British pig genetics in both their re-stocking and expansion
plans.
Taiwan is another country wishing to import breeding stock,
certification negotiations are in progress. The BPA held a seminar where
more than 230 delegates heard about the UK’s breeding industry,
its future development, nutrition requirements for baby piglets and improving
the use of frozen semen. BPA has been invited back since this event to
address the Taiwan-Britain Council meeting in Taipei later in April.
Seminars in the Philippines were held in Manila and Davao.
The Philippines and Thailand are established importers of British breeding
pigs and semen.
A unique outcome in Thailand saw the signing of a Memorandum
of Understanding at VIV Asia between the BPA and the Swine Raisers Association
of Thailand in the presence of HM Ambassador and the Director General
of Thailand’s Livestock Department. More than 250 guests attended
the ceremony which was shown on Thai TV, the world press was also present
This is the first such undertaking and will bring about much closer co-operation
between the two industries. BPA will be arranging for speakers to attend
the SRA’s AGM in September and is planning another seminar in February
2006 as well as visit programmes for Thai breeders to visit the UK.
For more see www.britishpigs.com
[15 Apr 05]
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