Pigs News

The UK pig industry is leading the way in the fight against antibiotic resistance, having surpassed the 30% reduction target in total antibiotic use set by the RUMA Targets Task Force (TTF) between 2020 and 2024, AHDB figures have revealed.

Positions are open for three-year terms on the Beef & Lamb, Cereals & Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sector councils.

Following a scorching summer last year and with temperatures currently on the rise, pig producers are being urged to manage heat stress to avoid the negative consequences it can have on feeding behaviour, growth rates and animal welfare.

On the back of zinc supplies running out and responsible antibiotic use becoming ever more important, getting weaned pigs off to a solid start is vital to protecting their welfare and safeguarding farm productivity. At a webinar hosted by the George Pig Practice and supported by Elanco, three experts discussed the challenges and practical solutions when it comes to weaned pig management.

The National Pig Association has said it is shocked and deeply concerned after a revelation that insufficient import controls have resulted in meat being sold by UK retailers that poses a “serious and immediate” disease threat to the UK pig industry.

Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) could open up further avenues for UK pork exports heading to Mexico, with Latin America and the trans-Pacific region also on the horizon as possible export destinations.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Cargill Animal Nutrition UK has replaced the soya sources in its pre-starter and starter pig and poultry diets with its Triple S soya, which is sourced from deforestation-free areas in Latin America.

The National Pig Association has welcomed Defra’s commitment to reform contractual practices in the pork supply chain, but says wider issues further up the supply chain, including the actions of retailers, must also be addressed.

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.