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NPA producer group urges industry to celebrate diversity of production

11th Sep 2017 / By Alistair Driver

Pigs feeding3outdoor pigs

The UK pig industry should celebrate the diversity of the production systems within it as one of its greatest strengths, according the NPA producer group.

The subject of the relationship between indoor and outdoor units made it onto the agenda at the group’s latest meeting in London last Wednesday.

This followed recent media comments from producers that, intentionally or otherwise, appeared to favour one system over the other. The backdrop was the debate generated by media stories over the past few months linking the rise of large farms in the UK with poor animal welfare and environmental practice, and efforts to link antibiotic overuse with intensive production systems.

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies stressed that the association supports indoor and outdoor units equally. “We support all types of pig farming and want every member to feel supported equally,” she said.

United front

In the discussion that followed, the producer group agreed on the need to encourage the industry to adopt a united front at all times.

NPA vice chairman Richard Longthorp said: “We need to demonstrate that promoting diversity and point of difference is the best way ahead for the industry. Promoting the benefits of one’s own system is only natural but it should not be in the context of 'better than' rather 'different from'.

"Let consumers make their own minds up. This diversity is a unique attribute of the UK pig industry. And as we move towards Brexit, diversity should be seen as a strength. Some may be tempted to think that during this time of comfortable prices the strength that unity brings is unnecessary. But it most certainly will be not merely necessary but vital when the industry hits its next crisis. Unity needs to be permanent not fleeting when it suits.”

pigs on strawThis range of systems used to produce our pork – various outdoor systems, plus indoor straw and indoor slatted – is unique in the EU and globally and gives the UK more clout in the marketplace at home and abroad.

The UK’s key export destinations buy into the ‘story’ behind the UK pig sector and the range of production systems will remain key to our of reaching new markets in future. At home, this diversity gives consumers choice and enables the pig industry to meet the different price points demanded by consumers.

High standards

Often the system choice is driven by where producers are in the country and, for example, available land or buildings. The group also highlighted the relatively high standards of UK production, regardless of system, which are recognised throughout the world.

Colin Stone, who represents producers in the east of the country, said outdoor production had a positive impact on the whole market. He said: “It doesn’t matter how you produce it, we need to be proud of what you are doing and just get on with it.”

Devon producer Andrew Freemantle pointed out that only certain cuts from outdoor pigs are marketed as such, with the rest being sold with indoor-produced meat. “So we are all in it together for most of the pig,” he said.