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Health, cost,
competitiveness and value are the priorities for a
profitable and sustainable pig industry in England and Wales according to
the new strategy just published by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).
Road to Recovery 2006-2009 is a completely revised and updated strategy
which builds on the successes of the plan originally launched in 2002.
The aim is to enable the pig industry in England and Wales to achieve
sustainable international competitiveness through reducing production and
processing costs and maximising the value of its pork and pork products.
The four key elements are improving herd health, reducing costs of
production, increasing industry confidence and maximising the value of
pork and pork products.
These can be achieved by:
- Operating the British Pig Health Scheme in all assured
abattoirs.
- An integrated and extensive programme of research,
development and knowledge transfer.
- Supporting the national scheme for Continuous
Professional Development.
- Supporting the work of the Red Meat Industry Forum.
- Supporting the British Pig Project to encourage
investment in new buildings.
- Promoting Quality Standard Mark British pork
and pork products focusing particularly on the premium segments.
- Promoting pork as healthy, using the "96% fat
free" message.
- Improving demand for pork and breeding stock in export
markets.
- A plan of activity has been drawn up to deliver
the strategy which will cost £10.5 million a year. The aim
is to fund £7.3 million a year
from
levy money plus £3.2 million from other sources, such as Government,
the
EU and industry.
BPEX Chairman Stewart Houston said: "The original Road to Recovery
strategy laid very sound foundations and now we are building on those."The latest strategy is even more focused and carefully targeted to improve
returns for the industry and get the maximum value from the levy."We have achieved a number of successes which have helped the industry
stabilise following several years of decline."The new strategy now aims to help the pig production and processing
industry grow and meet the changing and challenging market."
Copies of Road to Recovery 2006-2009 are available from
the BPEX website,
www.bpex.org.uk
[13 Jan 06]
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