Three more nominations for NPA PIG Elections!
18th Dec 2023 / By Alistair Driver
Three more candidates have joined the race for election to the NPA's Pig Industry Group (PIG) in the New Year.
Premier Nutrition's Michelle Sprent, who has been a member of the PIG for the past three years and the Allied Industry Group before that, and HIPRA's Jon McKechnie have put their names forward in the allied industry category.
"Whilst there will be challenges ahead I believe there is a bright future for UK pigs and being part of the NPA PIG will allow me to play a part in ensuring this is the case," Michelle said in her manifesto.
In his manifesto, Jon said: "As part of the PIG, I hope to offer a well rounded outlook on the industry and a friendly approach that encourages members from all areas of the pig community to come forward and have their voices heard."
On the producer front, Cranswick's Ash Gilman, a member of PIG for the past three years and Producer Group before that, has become the latest name to enter the race.
"I am passionate about UK agriculture and food production and recognise the urgent need for it to evolve quicker than it has done in the past 30 years to keep apace with the many, and often conflicting, demands placed upon it," Ash said in his manifesto.
With three weeks left to nominate, there are now 11 candidates overall, six producers and five from the allied sectors.
Producers:
- Ash Gilman
- Rob Mutimer
- Phil Stephenson
- Joe Dewhirst
- Tom Allen
- Helen Webb
Allied industry:
- Michelle Sprent
- Jon McKechnie
- Andy Hall
- Peter Bryant
- Gemma Thwaites.
Manifestos:
The deadline for nominations is January 8, 2024.
PIG Elections
The NPA is seeking candidates for eight producer and four allied member seats on a streamlined PIG.
Producers will be elected on the basis of the most votes received, rather than on a regional basis. Efforts will be made to ensure a balance between indoor and outdoor production and independent and corporate producers.
Allied members will be elected via most votes in four categories – buildings/equipment, health, marketing/processing and nutrition.
Producers will only vote for producers, and allied industry for allied industry, with one vote per membership.
With three weeks left to nominate, the NPA's elected leaders are urging potential candidates to put their names forward.
In a recent post on the forum, vice-chair Hugh Crabtree said: "A lively contest for all places on PIG demonstrates clearly that the association is recognised, valued and important to the sector. Others like Defra see this as well and our legitimacy as the true voice of UK pigs is confirmed."
"But better than that, membership of and involvement with PIG is interesting, valuable to your business and fun.
"GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN NOW!!"
NPA chairman Rob Mutimer is also urging people from across the sector to consider putting their names forward.
"There are so many talented and driven people right across this industry and we really do want to see as many candidates as possible putting their names forward," he said.
"You can really make a big difference to the NPA and its hard-working team and, ultimately, to the wider industry, as we grapple with so many important issues - from how the supply chain operates to the sustainability and welfare agendas and so much more.
"As members of PIG have testified, there are many benefits of being on PIG and it is not overly burdensome, although we do expect real commitment from those elected."