February 4 2012
Geoff Asher
Regarding Kevin's comments re are we sure about stalls and tethers? Surely the vets that must attend the non-assured units, if only to supply medicines, have a moral duty to report what are illegal practices? If not why not?
Kevin Gilbert
Good idea Martin but don't think you would like litters of 0-3 piglets. That's why there is a shortage of lamb which could readily be supplied at the rate of 25 per breeding female per year. I do agree that the price of pork relative to beef and lamb is ridiculous.
On the sow stall ban, are we sure that there is nobody in the United Kingdom that still has stalls/tethers? If you are not quality assured and the small abattoir you supply isn't either, it could be possible that no on-farm inspection has taken place since 1999. I think our leaders should be making sure that the state veterinary service inspects all non farm-assured premises this year. After all, we don't want to have egg on our faces like we have with the battery hen ban.
February 1 2012
Martin Hayman
Re the ABN Innovations Award — we need to get our pigs to grow lots of hair (easy done at the moment),
get them classed as lambs, throw them in a field, not worry how long it takes to get them to market, collect the field subsidy, and in nine months sell a 22kg carcass and make £100. Do I win?
Hugh Crabtree
Calling ALL producer members of the NPA! Please use the online voting booth to cast your vote and please tell other producers you see at events or meetings about it. I'm afraid there is no cash for votes, no bungs, no dodgy inducements, no bonuses. What there is available is far more important and of much greater and lasting benefit: a strong trade association to look after your interests and representatives with a clear mandate to work for you. The voting process is extremely easy so please do it and do it now. Thanks. — Hugh (aka Producer Elections Czar) Crabtree.
Richard Longthorp
From the News page: "8.45am: Somebody from East Anglia has just entered the polling booth... perhaps the east is about to cast its first vote..."
Probably still looking for that big fat brown envelope I left. It's behind the box
Richard Longthorp
Cash for votes? This is an unexpected bonus.
All I wanted is votes but if Mark wants give me cash as well as voting for me that is wonderful.
Such nice folk down in East Anglia.
January 31 2011
Robin Wilson
Anyone wanting to see our chairman on Countryfile: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01bpqs4/Countryfile_29_01_2012/ The two sections are at 7.30 minutes in, and at 22.30 minutes in.
Mark Hayward
Cash for votes anyone?
january 30 2012
Digby Scott
February Pig World hasn't been published yet. You have been put back on the mailing list at Richard's request.
Julia Blant
Would like to vote, but don't yet have a copy of Feb Pig World ... are there any spares out there?
January 30 2012
Czar Longthorp
Bollox – Producer Group Czar Crabtree beat me to it.
So the gauntlet is down. Nothing else for it – game on. I challenge Crabtree that Allied Industry Group get a better turnout of voters in the election than Producer Group
If I don't then I will undertake to purchase Crabtree a pint or 20. Of course the best scenario would be if both PG and AIG get whopping big turnouts then Crabtree and I can buy each other a pint or 20! Not that two drunken Czars will be a sign of success but that a massive turnout from PG and AIG will confirm that NPA has an equally massive mandate to vigorously prosecute the pig industry's agenda within Whitehall, Brussels, Cheshunt, Holborn and Leeds.
As highlighted by Hugh, the number of candidates this year in both PG and AIG elections mean that there could well be some "interesting" results. The more the votes the more the "interest"
So do all of wot Hugh sez and vote.
If you know any AIG colleagues who may still be web "virgins" and may not be up to speed with the process or candidates then point them in the right direction and / or tell them to make sure they read the February edition of Pig World – it will all be in there
So AIG, let's be 'avin you. I'm not going to let an oily rag man beat us!
Czar Crabtree
No sooner said than done Digby: to ALL producer voters who visit this website, will you please make sure you use the excellent and simple facility provided to cast your vote in the Producer Group elections? That's the easy bit. Will you please also encourage those who do not visit the site to vote as well? How do you know who they are? Simple, ask the producers you meet when you meet. Talk about the elections and the candidates - this year could be quite controversial - and make voting in this election the thing to take seriously and to do. Please support your association in this very simple but very effective way. Thanks.
Digby Scott
The polls for Producer Group and Allied Industry Group open in two days (on February 1) so get your bovver boots on Allied Industry Group czar Longthorp and Producer Group czar Crabtree and lets have some messages in this forum bullying — or rather politely urging — people to vote. You've done a great job getting a full field of candidates, Now we need a really strong voter turn-out.
January 29 2012
Nigel Mears
Re "Are you ready for January space and slats trigger?" (News page).
just started reading the directive. Decided to watch a video instead. Who has time to write all that crap? Sad world eh! I can see everybody sharpening pencils and looking for tape measures right now!
january 28 2012
Alaistaire Brice
The price increase in eggs only relates to the shortage of British Lion code eggs (seconds) that are used for liquid egg and the processing market. UK food manufacturers have been sufficiently scared to only source British compliant egg and as a direct result the market is seeing strong demand.
Shell egg market is tight and prices have strengthened, but no significant price increases to producers yet, as many packers a feeling downward pressure from supermarkets as price wars continue, so although there is not the surpluses about compared to this time last year the special offers on the supermarket shelves dominate the sector!
Malcolm Baxter
Reference your report on the 20 percent rise in the price off eggs. Just wondered how much of that 20 percent has gone to the farmers.
January 17 2012
Digby Scott
Following on from Richard's message below, I think it is asking a bit much for people to read through the election addresses en masse here for producers and here for allied trades, so I will aim to feature one candidate a day on the News page, right through to when the polls open.
Richard Longthorp
Following on from my earlier forum posting and having got such a first rate field of runners for both Producer Group and the Allied Industry Group there is still one crucial piece of work to be done.
We need to make sure that all those who have put their names forward have an equal chance of having their potential to serve industry absolutely reflected in the way people vote. Some will not necessarily be that well known to wider industry so we need to give them every encouragement during the next few weeks to get better known. And we don't want any of that "better the devil you know" old bollox either. Just because someone is not particularly well known, particularly outside their region, does not mean they do not have a lot to offer.
And without any disrespect at all to the fantastic existing members of Producer Group and Allied Industry Group, I, personally, will not view this election campaign a success unless we do see some new faces on both.
And for avoidance of any misunderstanding, I do not include myself as a "new face"! Notwithstanding the fact that I would of course be delighted to once again serve industry on the NPA Producer Group.
January 14 2012
Richard Longthorp
Whilst it is very kind of Digby to mention the activity of the election Czars, the reality is that nobody can make a success of a job without the right raw material. And what the election campaign thus far has done is confirm what we already knew. We have, in the pig industry, the raw material, talent, passion and enthusiasm in absolute bundles.
And of course Hugh is dead right when he says "There is potential for some great upsets at the polls ... which is fantastic".
But with so much competition for restricted places I wonder when, in true election style, the mud will start to fly and we all end up dissing our opponents.
Now that *@@**!! Houston, what an absolute @!?€€@
January 13 2012
Digby Scott
Half-way through the first course. It was a bit embarrassing really. Good luck next week when you see Monsieur Gaviscon.
Phil Sleigh
Re Forum comment — the problem with Tesco struggling to make enough profits is we now know who is going to be making up the shortfall, or is it just a coincidence that the shout price has dropped 6p? So far!
PS. Did the oysters work?
Digby Scott
Oh bugger.
Robin Wilson
Digby, great to see from your feed prices article that "All being well pigs in 2012 should average £135 to £140 a kilo if not more" giving "a much-needed period of real profitability". At those prices everyone should be piling into pigs, or is a decimal point lacking?
January 13 2012
Nigel Mears
Shame about Tesco!
Financial Times: Tesco reels after first profit alert in 20 years >>>
january 11 2012
Fred Henley
Just done my quick count of British, Known Imported and Unknown. Overall more imported on shelves. Morrisons now just above Sainsbur'sy and smallest increase in imported. Sainsbury's let down by imported bacon. Tesco biggest increase in imports though the pork was mostly British. Just looked at latest BPEX figures and wonder why pigs are still produced here as there has only been one slightly profitable year in the last five and big losses recently.
january 10 2012
Hugh Crabtree
With only 48 or so hours to go before nominations close for NPA elections it's looking like candidates and their supporters have really risen to the challenge thrown down by the association and those pesky election Czars aka Longthorp and Crabtree. Very well done to everyone who has agreed to stand.... up and be counted. There will be pretty fierce competition for seats in both Producer Group and Allied Industry Group elections - just as it should be. This confirms we have an industry to be proud of and one that's worth grafting for. We asked for new blood, women and youth and we've got what we asked for in spades - fan-bloody-tastic!
Now, dear members, it's over to you to vote in droves and make this the biggest tur out in the history of NPA elections. That way, every elected representative has a clear and unambiguous mandate to serve you; and the association as a whole is able to claim it fully represents the United Kingdom pig industry - period.
Our webmaster has come up with an on-line voting system that will make it really easy for producers to cast their vote so there really is absolutely no excuse. Allied Industry Group voters will be doing it the old-fashioned way and anyone who needs to vote by mail or fax will be able to do so. You've got a full month to thoroughly check out the candidates before voting starts so please start now and prepare yourself for the election.
Please support the association with your vote. It really does matter - it's our bloody livelihood after all!
january 9 2012
Angela Kirkwood
Has anyone looked at the worrying pig export/import statistics published this week?
The problem: pig prices in the United Kingdom struggle yet we import so much pigmeat... something we are trying (and failing) to overcome.
The resolution: all you guys and girls at 'little Red Tractor' HQ have built up a very good brand, that portrays excellent quality assurance... is there any chance we can export this brand?
New Zealand lamb is imported to Britain — why can't we as an industry take a leap out of this book and export our farm assured, little Red Tractor pork?
Looking at statistics I feel it could be an opening to SAVE THE BRITISH PIG!
I know that Cranswick are dabbling with China... as any business should, it is the biggest importer of pork... but are they pushing the 'little Red Tractor' brand... why just keep it to the United Kingdom supermarket shelves?
Richard Longthorp
Pig farmers the world over must be crackers. We all seem to breathe a mighty sigh of relief when we start to generate sufficient cash (not necessarily profit) to pay off overdrafts – overdrafts that have been built up over one or more years of losses. To see the hyper-efficient Danes with their 30 pigs per year afflicted by the same perverse siege relief mentality (News page) should cause concern to anybody that eats, sells or deals in pork. The system is simply not sustainable. To be sustainable we need to generate not the occasional cash surplus but genuine trading surpluses to cover depreciation and finance costs and to allow investment for the future. Investment in quality, cost efficiencies, health, welfare and of course staff.
Digby Scott
Thanks for your help Neil. A big pile of stickers is on its way to you.
Neil Dempsey
I am writing with regards to acquiring some bumper stickers for me, my family and friends.
We live near a local farming village called lolworth, Cambridge, and many of our close friends and family
have been talking about your campaign. I thought it wouldn't hurt asking if you do bumper stickers for cars
so we can show our support! If you can send me as many as you think appropriate, I am sure I can get them all in cars and trucks all over the Cambridgeshire/Peterborough area. Keep up the good work, look forward to hearing from you!
Anna Longthorp
Apologies, in that once again I've had impeccable timing at opening up a can of worms! Been without internet for past few days so only just seen the debate unfold. I agree there's far too much bureaucracy already. My point I was trying to get across is that we need an industry accreditation where the criteria is set by a panel of people who have a) worked with pigs, b) take into account different production systems, etc, c) have a clear conception of what higher welfare is and have a certain flexibility if it can be demonstrated that a short term (tenth of a second twinge) can lead to longer term higher welfare all around, specific to their production system. None of us would carry out procedures such as teeth-clipping or tail-docking by choice, only if we felt it necessary. Let's be honest, it's just another job we rather wouldn't do at the end of the day, but those who do it believe and know on their farm it implies higher welfare.
I'll be honest, these days we do neither on our farm and haven't for numerous years, but I completely understand and applaud those who do for the wellbeing of their animals. As for the compulsory NPA membership for our industry, I can best describe it by comparing it to an army fighting for higher prices. It seems to be a good thing when producers break even these days, but who can carry on like that? At the moment our army has a certain "them" and "us" about it. If I was on a battlefield with a divided army I'd be on my knees praying. If we stand together, all fighting the same corner we have a damn sight more chance of succeeding than if we remain separated. And if you feel NPA hasn't served the industry in the way you wish, get involved and help to steer it.
january 6 2012
Phil Sleigh
I am a bit worried about you. Three days on the oysters. Has the old libido gone a bit south? Maybe you should call the ladies @ LIPS, they probably have a recipe for someone in your predicament. Put a bit of pork in your fork!
Digby Scott
Sorry Andrew, I'm taking a belated three-day Christmas break (an oyster binge at Whitstable) so no changes to News page until tomorrow night. But if it makes you feel any better, I have it on good authority that Paul's mop is in fact a wig. Later on I'll lift it off in Photoshop and transfer it to your head, if that helps.
Andrew Freemantle
Please could you put some more news up, anything will do even IPPC stuff will be fine. Seeing my shiny dome next to Paul Topliss's, immaculate barnet is depressing more than Vion's shout price.....
January 3 2011
Georgina Crayford
Regarding the News item from December 31, titled "Bird Control on Pig Units", BPEX has a large number of printed copies of the full report of the Scottish research. I was intending to enclose a copy of the report to all producers with their next quarterly ZNCP report in February. However, if anyone would like to get their hands on a copy sooner, please let me know via email georgina.crayford@bpex.ahdb.org.uk
Robert Mills
Would you really like the NPA to change from an organisation which has the support of All its members to become another bolt on expense to the charade of farm assurance?
Are you really saying we don't care whether you support us or not we just want your money? Do you believe a closed shop or a monopoly is morally or ethically acceptable?
Be careful what you wish for and beware the law of unintended consequences.
january 2 2011
Robin Traquair
Anna, are you suggesting more red tape with your accreditation? Isn't that what farmers would like to see less of? As for making NPA membership compulsory: farmers pay subs when they see a benefit in return.
December 31 2011
Anna Longthorp
Completely agree with Howard... all units are different, breeds are different behavioural wise, production systems are all different, staff, layout, etc. One of my notes after the Young NPA meeting was that perhaps we should possibly look into having an NPA accreditation, one that recognises different production systems, and how we all know and value high welfare standards... being presumptuous as usual I'd predict 90-100 percent producers, of NPA membership at least, would regard highest welfare as their top priority. And all production systems imply different operations to give the highest welfare. The people that currently serve out various accreditations mostly haven't even worked with pigs so how are they gathering their evidence in what criteria = higher welfare? I know the questions I asked were skirted around.
And as part of this accreditation we could make NPA membership compulsory so the people that aren't signed up can blooming well start forking out rather than reaping the benefits with not paying! |
