Pigs News

An unnamed processor currently under investigation by the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCA) has allegedly been passing up to tens of thousands of tonnes of imported pork per week as British in what is possibly the biggest food fraud and safety scandal since Horsegate in 2013.

Farming groups have criticised the government over plans to sign trade agreements with Canada and Mexico that will lead to low-welfare imports of beef and pork undercutting British producers.

The value of UK red meat exports has reached record levels in 2022, amounting to a staggering £1.7 billion, partly due to the rising prices of meat throughout last year.

AHDB has produced its latest Agri-market Outlook, which explores the factors likely to affect farm businesses.

A funded yearly vet visit is now available to farmers under the government’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

As part of its ‘Mix up Midweek with Pork’ marketing campaign, the AHDB is once again supporting the long-term demand for pig meat by promoting it as a nutritious, tasty and versatile meal choice.

As part of AHDB’s Delivering the Future of Farming event, representatives of the pork sector council sat down with strategy director Angela Christison to answer questions and expand on the three priorities outlined in the pork sector plan. Henrietta Szathmary attended the online event.

Trials on more than 4,000 pigs on units in Spain and the UK showed that cost-effective improvements in feed efficiency can be achieved where a natural botanic-based feed product is added to diets, according to Cargill UK.

Pig producers are being urged to look at flexible feeding strategies with their nutritionists as high feed prices continue to leave margins tight.

Investing in long-troughs to feed outdoor sows can significantly reduce costs, cut feed waste and help counter excessive nutrient leeching in soils. It’s also more hygienic and can reduce the bird and vermin populations visiting and colonising a pig unit in search of food, according to Con-Tented Products.

Cargill UK is now offering its welfare-enhancing feed product in both liquid and in powder form, extending its application to all pig production systems, and at all life stages.

An annual AHDB report that looks at the cost of pig meat production in 17 countries has revealed a 20% increase in GB costs for indoor pigs last year as opposed to a 6% rise in EU countries.