2023 NPA Chris Brant Award winner announced

Sam Godfrey, for many years one of the pig sector’s most prominent pig producers, has been recognised for his immense contribution to the industry with the NPA Chris Brant Award.

Sam, who farmed pigs in Lincolnshire as part of a wider farming operation and chaired the NPA’s Pig Industry Group, received the award from NPA chairman Rob Mutimer at the National Pig Awards on Monday night.

Sam left the sector earlier this year after the pig business was sold to a major integrator, but the award judges described him as ‘a pig industry stalwart for many years’ and praised, in particular his lobbying work for the industry on environmental policy.

“His constant support of NPA and wider industry organisations, and his involvement in policy work, demonstrates his enduring commitment to making a difference for his fellow producers.

“But his contribution regarding environmental policy area in particular, the primary example being just how hard he fought, and for a prolonged period, on the Farming Rules for Water, is testament to his willingness to go above and beyond.

“His knowledge and expertise on environmental permitting and ammonia emissions is unparalleled, indeed he even taught himself air dispersion modelling and joined the Institute of Air Quality Management, which has been of tremendous value in subsequent discussions with various civil servants whilst lobbying on behalf of the pig sector, as a whole.

“Sam has provided NPA with many hours of support and advice on technical areas and never fails to present a robust and eloquent challenge as and when required to ensure pig producers are not disadvantaged.

“He deserves to be recognised for the value he has added to the pig sector, often quietly and behind the scenes, and especially as a final thank you as he bows out of practical pig production.”

The NPA Chris Brant Award, named after producer and pig industry activist Chris Brant, who died in 2009, recognises an outstanding contribution to the industry. The Award, won last year by Yorkshire pig producer and industry campaigner Anna Longthorp, is about ‘consistently going the extra mile.

All entries are nominated by industry peers and judged by pig producers and members of the allied industries. The award continues to grow in stature – 2023 saw a great number of entries, with the usual high-quality nominations.