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 DIARY DATES

June 25: NPA AIG meeting, Stoneleigh.
June 26: Midland Pig Club, Harpole.
June 27: IPPC Communications meeting.
June 30: NPA south-central meeting.
July 2: NPA/BPEX Communications meeting.
July 2: NPA East Anglia BBQ and meeting.
July 16: LIPS at Driffield Show.
July 16: NPA Producer Group, Farmers Club.

More details and/or send your diary date here

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June16

GreensitA break from pigs

A couple normally tied to their pig unit in North Yorkshire are to enjoy a weekend away courtesy of SCA NuTec. Mark and Catherine Greensit have won a weekend break by entering SCA NuTec’s prize draw at Pig Fair.

There were over 400 entries, and theirs was first out of the hat. Mark and Cathy, from West Tanfield near Ripon, North Yorkshire, were presented with their prize by SCA NuTec’s sales manager, Antony Merrin (left).

Oxford benchmarkers improve productivity

Oxford pig club members, who benchmark their production figures quarterly, have carried out their first year-on-year check. They have all made productivity improvements.

· Weaned piglets per sow per year up one pig per litter
· Sow replacement up 7.43pc
· Sow mortality down 0.71pc
· Farrowing rate up 3.69pc
· Farrowing index up 0.09
· Lost days down 23.07
· Born alive up 0.34
· Total born up 0.44
· Weaned per litter up 0.25
· Mortality down 0.49pc

Last year the group decided on a drive to reduce non-productive days from an average 56 days to 40. In the event, they have reduced the group average to 32 days, bringing a saving of £242,000 for the group (assuming every non-productive day costs £2.50 per sow).

The group are looking to recruit new members in the Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire area. Interested? Call or email Helen Thoday, 07973 710202.

NFU calls for beef and lamb increases

NFU is calling for further increases in farmgate prices for beef and lamb to safeguard long term sustainability of the sectors. This follows the release of the latest Eblex business pointers report which shows that beef finisher units faced a 17 percent rise in costs in the year ending March 2008. In the same period sheep breeding flocks saw sales drop by 12-13 percent.

Vion signs agreement to buy Grampian

Peter BarrVion has done the deal with Grampian. The takeover, which will be submitted to the competition authorities, sees the Dutch company strengthen its presence in Britain, where it is already active in the fresh pork, bacon and sausage markets.

Grampian will be integrated into a new Vion division - Vion UK. This division will be managed from the United Kingdom and led by Ton Christiaanse who will be appointed chief executive.

Peter Barr CBE (pictured), formerly chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission, will be appointed non-executive chairman of the board of Vion UK.

Vion is one of Europe's largest food companies. In Britain it has four businesses:

• Key Country Foods is a retail bacon processor.

• J & J Tranfield (where it is a majority shareholder) is a manufacturer and supplier of pizza and sausages.

• Vion Food UK Ltd sells bacon, fresh pork, beef and convenience products.

• Oerlemans Foods sells frozen vegetables, potato products and fruit.

Vion produces high-quality foods and ingredients for humans and animals. The group consists of three divisions: Ingredients, Fresh Meat and Convenience. Annual turnover is more than £13.5 billion. There are 18,000 employees worldwide.

Vion is a non-listed company and has a single agricultural shareholder: the Dutch Southern Agricultural and Horticultural Farmers Union, which has 18,000 members. Head office is in Son en Breugel in the Netherlands.

"Together with Grampian's management we want to further intensify the cooperation with our retail clients by investing in Grampian, sharing knowledge and developing partnerships," said Daan van Doorn, Vion chairman.

Grampian Country Food Group Ltd was founded in Scotland in 1980 and has developed into one of the nation's leading food companies, supplying the major multiples with chicken, pork, beef and lamb. It employs 17,500 staff (of which 4,500 are in Thailand), with an annual turnover of £1.7 billion.

Alex on pigs

Alex James used to be the bass guitarist in the rock-band Blur, but he now has a very clear view of the importance of the British pig industry, and has joined the campaign to support the industry.

"We've got one of the best pig industries in the world – we set the benchmark for animal welfare – but, tragically, that is what is looking to put British pig farmers out of business," he told Pig World.

Commenting on the results of a BPEX survey that showed 70 percent of shoppers willing to pay more to support United Kingdom welfare standards, he urged them to act on their convictions and buy more British pigmeat.

They should press their suppliers to recognise the problems the industry had in meeting recent increases in feed and other costs. He claimed that it would be in their own interests to do so.

"Ironically, if British pig farmers go out of business, the scarcity of pork will put the price up anyway, so we'll all end up paying the same, or more, for an inferior quality product," he pointed out.

In response to a suggestion that shoppers regularly lie to such surveys, he suggested that they ought to consider reducing their consumption, but going for higher quality, if cost was a major concern.

"Everyone is looking for bargains in food, but there is a point beyond which that is a false economy," he argued. "Meat that has been raised better, tastes better."

Alex dropped out of the music business five years ago, and bought a 200-acre farm in the Cotswolds, where he keeps sheep, but is better known for his cheese-making business. He acknowledges that that is a different market to pig production.

"A cheese-maker can set the price of his cheese," he explained. "He can say 'It's three quid; take it or leave it', but the pig farmer has to take the market rate that he is offered. The trouble is that the market rate is less than the cost of production."

He praised what the Pigs Are Worth It Campaign for its efforts to raise public awareness through demonstrations and marketing, and urged consumers to look for the Quality Standard Mark, and to sign the on-line petition at www.pigsareworthit.com.

He seemed less impressed by the sector's attempted move into his own old territory. "They made a record, but when I heard it, I said maybe we need to talk about this," he concluded.

Cash for training

BPEX Ltd has just secured funding from Yorkshire Forward to help with staff development in the Yorkshire and Humber pig industry. The funding will provide support to the industry whilst they continue to build on existing skills and knowledge.

With pig production still withstanding heavy losses, investing in staff development is not on the top of producers' lists, but BPEX hopes this funding will help to continue to support this important area business.

According to Tess Howe, BPEX skills development manager: "Stockmen who have attended some of the training workshops we have run across the country have really benefited and appreciated the fact that attending them contributes to a recognised qualification. Equally, the number of companies engaging in management level training is encouraging, as they realise this is an area that will help raise unit productivity whilst improving staff motivation and retention."

If you are interested in staff development, need support in ongoing programmes or provide to training events, BPEX may be able to help. Call or email Tess Howe, 07779 321078.

June 15

European wheat harvest: smaller than last year

This year’s United Kingdom cereals crop is reported to be in good condition. As farmers increased plantings significantly, this should mean a large harvest.

The last time a crop of a similar size was harvested was in 2001. If production projections are realised, the 2008/09 balance sheet is likely to show a sizable exportable surplus and plenty of wheat for domestic use.

However, there are still concerns over global cereal production. Global wheat production is estimated to be only 2 percent (14m tonnes) higher than last year, at 610m tonnes, according estimates by the United States department of agriculture.

European Union production accounts for one-fifth of the total, but at 119m tonnes is predicted to be 4 percent lower on the year. Total usage in the European Union is predicted to be 5 percent lower but this will not be enough to offset the reduced output.

United States wheat production is forecast to be 14 percent higher at 56m tonnes, but a forecast 40 percent rise in exports is predicted to cut year-end stocks by half.

Australian wheat production is predicted to be 23 percent up. However rains in New South Wales, which produces around one-third of Australia’s wheat, have been less than expected. As a result new-crop production estimates could be downgraded.

Combined wheat production of China and India accounts for around one-third of global output. Most of their output is consumed on their domestic markets. Chinese production is forecast at 110m tonnes, only 1 percent up on 06-07 levels, and Indian output is estimated at 76m tonnes, a rise of 9 percent.

Global maize prices hit record levels last week.

Overall 8pc less grain was harvested in the United Kingdom last year compared to 2006. Wheat output showed the largest reduction - down 10pc (to 13.2m tonnes), following lower plantings and lower yields. Barley production continued the downward trend seen in recent years, falling to 5.1m tonnes.

There has been a 25pc rise in imports, compared to 2006-07. Wheat imports from August to March this year were up 35pc, exceeding 1m tonnes, which is nearly double the same period last year. The majority of the wheat was bought from Canada, the United Kingdom’s traditional source for high quality wheat. More wheat has also been imported from the United States and Germany.

Denmark’s loss is Germany’s gain

Trade in live pigs to Germany dropped 12 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared with a year ago, mainly because fewer slaughter pigs pigs are being sent from Holland. However imports of live weaners from Denmark have increased, partially offsetting the drop. The live pig trade with Holland could recover later this year; Germany’s processing costs are cheaper than Holland’s. Many of the three million slaughter pigs imported from the Netherlands each year are shipped back as meat.

June 14

Porkwatch results for May

British share of pigmeat on retailers shelves remains fairly static. Around three-quarters of pork is home-produced which, against a background of tightening supply, can be seen as a positive. Bacon and ham shares have nudged forward in recent months but still refuse to break the 40pc barrier. The best overall movers this time are Aldi (Quality Standard Mark pork), Budgens (Quality Standard Mark bacon and sausage) and M&S (bacon, ham and sausage).

Porkwatch Saints and sinners — fresh pork
Bsed on percentage of British facings

EXCELLENT 1. Budgens, Waitrose, M&S, GOOD 2. Co-op 3. Morrisons 4. Sainsbury’s, BELOW AVERAGE 5. Tesco 6. Asda, POOR 7. Netto 8. Somerfield, DISMAL 9. Aldi 10. Lidl

Porkwatch Saints and sinners — bacon
Based on percentage of British facings

ABOVE AVERAGE 1. Budgens 2. Waitrose 3. M&S 4. Tesco 5. Co-op 6. Sainsbury’s, BELOW AVERAGE 7. Morrisons 8. Asda 9. Somerfield 10.Netto

Porkwatch Saints and sinners - ham
Based on percentage of British facings

ABOVE AVERAGE 1. Budgens 2. Waitrose 3. Sainsbury’s 4. M&S, BELOW AVERAGE 5. Tesco 6. Somerfield 7. Asda 8. Co-op 9. Aldi 10. Lidl 11. Netto

Porkwatch Saints and sinners - sausages
Based on percentage of British facings

EXCELLENT 1. Budgens, ABOVE AVERAGE 2. M&S 3. Waitrose 4. Sainsbury’s, BELOW AVERAGE 5. Tesco 6. Co-op 7. Somerfield 8. Asda
9. Morrisons 10. Netto 11. Lidl 12. Aldi

GOLD STANDARD PERFORMERS Waitrose, M&S, Budgens Budgens have seen positive movements in Quality Standard Mark use on bacon (77pc) and sausages (54pc) whilst retaining their overall support in all categories. M&S are at 100pc on pork, but are showing record gains in British shares of bacon (69pc), ham (68pc) and sausage (94pc). Waitrose continue to be consistently high.

Morrisons Fresh pork successes continue and whilst there are few movements in the other products it is hoped these will increase in future months as the Spalding plant comes on line and is expanded.

Sainsbury's Overall the British situation is static, but increases in facings of Quality Standard Mark continue on pork and sausages.

Co-op Despite assurances of continued support for British, Porkwatch auditors have recorded drops of pork (83pc) and bacon (39pc) identified as British. Whilst use of the Quality Standard Mark on pork is still excellent, and it is not being suggested that products are not British, the identification of British is being omitted.

Tesco A slight improvement in pork but a continued decline in bacon. Within this, levels for Quality Standard Mark are following the same trend.

Asda An erosion of British share of pork can be seen, to 70pc, which is slightly below the market average. On bacon there is a slight fall in British, but a slight increase in use of the Quality Standard Mark. Ham sees a slight rise in British as a result of the launch of a new standard-plus range of regional British products.

Somerfield Apart from a slight resurgence on sausages there is little progress and as previously reported an imminent sale would be good for the pig industry.

Hard discounters (Aldi, Lidl, Netto) Aldi has recorded a 68pc British figure for the first time with 77pc of this using the Quality Standard Mark, a big breakthrough. For Lidl the share of sausage identified as British continues to fall, to 30pc. Last period’s success on pork in Netto has been lost with share of British returning to 41pc, but growth can be seen in sausages, up to 39pc.

Porkwatch

Oudoor pigs carry more food-borne pathogens

Pigs raised without antibiotics are more likely to carry bacteria and parasites responsible for food borne illness, according to researchers at Ohio State University.

During a study, pigs raised outdoors without antibiotics had higher rates of three food-borne pathogens. Animal-friendly, outdoor farms tend to have a higher occurrence of salmonella, as well as higher rates of parasitic disease, according to lead study author Wondwossen Gebreyes.

More than half the pigs on antibiotic-free farms tested positive for salmonella, compared to 39 percent of conventionally raised pigs infected with the bacterial pathogen.

Toxoplasma gondii parasite was detected in 6.8 percent of antibiotic-free pigs, compared to 1.1 percent of conventionally raised pigs.

Two naturally raised pigs of the total 616 sampled tested positive for Trichinella spiralis, a parasite considered virtually eradicated from conventional United States pork production.

As long as pork is cooked thoroughly, the presence of these infectious agents in should pose no risk to human health.

Pig crude needs further refinement

Experiments to turn pig slurry into ‘petrol’ - first highlighted on this page a year ago - have hit a problem: the fuel, which in theory could be made available on garage forecourts, stinks. ‘Pig crude’ is being developed by University of Illinois researcher Yuanhui Zhang who uses heat and pressure to transform organic compounds into a thick black liquid that resembles crude oil. A sample of this fuel has been submitted to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology. Examiners say it smells bad and a way needs to be found to get more water out.

Power shortage may close abattoir

Western Australia's largest pig abattoir may close because of a power shortage caused by an explosion that slashed the state's natural gas supplies by 30 percent.

Releasing to the atmosphere just a small fraction of the carbon currently stocked in Europe’s soils risks wiping out all the steps other sectors of the economy are taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says Europe’s environment commissioner Stavros Dimas.

Good soil management is pivotal to combating climate change

Soil organic matter is the second biggest carbon pool in the planet after the oceans. There are more than 70 billion tonnes of organic carbon in Europe’s soils. This compares with total emissions by European Union countries of around 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon annually.

There is data to suggest large amounts of carbon from soil organic matter have already been lost to the atmosphere in the recent past, according to Europe's environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas. One of the causes may be long term changes in land management practices driven by changing economic circumstances.

“We have, for instance, over the past century or so, completely mechanised and streamlined many of our farming systems, specialising production and simplifying management.

"In making these changes, most of which have brought strong socio-economic benefits, we have taken our eyes off what is happening to soil.

“It now appears, that slow and gradual reductions in soil organic matter may have taken place, almost insignificant in themselves at field level but very significant when taken as a whole in terms of carbon emissions, and the atmosphere, of course, makes no distinction regarding the origin of carbon dioxide insofar as climate change is concerned.”

But long term changes in land management are only part of the picture.

Changes in rainfall patterns and increases in average temperatures brought about by climate change are also playing a role. A rise in global temperature accelerates carbon losses from the soil, driving up the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Changes in rainfall patterns contribute to an increase in erosion in vulnerable soils.

“Climate change will thus put further pressure on soil quality and will increase the risk of desertification, which is already affecting the southern member states and is expected to move gradually northward," says Dimas.

“It is therefore more urgent than ever to act in favour of appropriate policies and practices that favour maintaining or even increasing soil organic matter levels.

"If we manage to do that – and we have to do it now – we have at our disposal a formidable tool for sequestering carbon and supporting the achievement of the targets we have set ourselves to combat climate change. The more organic carbon we keep in or add to the soil, the less carbon dioxide we will have in the atmosphere.

“This will not only mitigate global warming, it will also diminish desertification risks, thereby sustaining agricultural production and allowing us to keep feeding the ever growing world population.”

• Brussels is proposing to introduce legislation on soil management.

Soil Protection Review

If 2008 is not the first year you have claimed the Single Payment Scheme, then you should already be implementing your Soil Protection Review, as it is a requirement of cross compliance. You are required to review your Soil Protection Review at least once a year. You should also review it if it becomes clear that measures you choose are not working or you have taken on new land or where management practices or enterprises have changed since the last review. Further information: http://www.nfuonline.com/x3460.xml.

Cash boost for biomass heat and electricity generation

Farmers, foresters and biomass producers can apply for up to £200,000 each under a new round of grants launch by Defra this week. The Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme will support the biomass industry in England helping those supplying biomass fuel for use in heat and electricity generation. More.

Fuel prices

Brussels is likely to suggest to ministers next week that temporary and non-distorting “targeted support” be allowed to shield the most deprived sectors of the population from soaring fuel costs. According to president Jose Barroso, rising fuel prices are squeezing the purchasing power of everyone in the European Union, with the strongest impact on the lowest paid. “I believe that through a structured response at European Union level – possibly combined with targeted social policy measures by member states – we can meet the challenge.” Household spending on energy and food in Europe accounts, on average, for about 10pc and 20pc of income respectively.

Fuel prices

Submitted by Rod Tuck. This is a petition on the E-petition section of the official Downing Street website. It was reported the other day that BP and shell were making £3 million an hour profit... so why should the prices be so high? Every vote counts! http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Lowerduty30/

Ian Campbell receives MBE

CampbellIan Campbell who retired from the National Pig Association as regions manager this year following a 38 year career in the pig industry has received an MBE in the birthday honours list for services to the pig industry and the voluntary sector.

In response to receiving the award Ian said, “I am very honoured to receive the MBE and see this as recognition of having been associated with the struggles of the pig industry through a variety of crises and changing market conditions. It’s been a long fight and I believe the real recognition should go to the many people in the industry who have taken the battle to the wider public and in doing so taken their time and effort away from their farms and businesses.

“We recently hosted the European Pig Producers Congress in Norwich and I was proud to see the number of pig producers from across Europe who came together to exchange views and ideas. It is positive for the future to see increasing links being forged between our younger generation of farmers and their European neighbours.

“We have had a number of successes over the years that I could not have shared in without the whole hearted support of the industry. However it should not be forgotten that there have been many casualties along the way. I hope that the recent increases in global commodity prices will help focus the minds of retailers and processors in sitting down with producers to develop genuine sustainable pigmeat supply chains.”

Stewart Houston CBE, NPA chairman, and chairman of the British Pig Executive, said “Ian has been a spokesman for the industry through some of its toughest times. He has the trust of producers, the allied industry and government due to his integrity and straight forward approach, he’s a good friend to us all and it is great to see him honoured in this way”.

Barney Kay, NPA general manager, said, “There’s not a pig farmer in the country that won’t be delighted to hear that Ian has received this recognition for the hard graft he’s put in over the years on behalf of the industry. His rare blend of wisdom and humour has often coaxed a more moderate line from government officials.”

Photo by: Richard Longthorp.

June 13

Import duties to stay

Mariann Fischer Boel today announced the suspension of cereal import duties will remain in force for the next marketing year - which will end on June 30, 2009, unless market conditions justify their reintroduction before that date.

'Pigs Are Worth It Campaign' to be stepped up

Neither pig producers, nor those who represent them, should be complacent as a result of recent rises in the pig price, said producer Richard Longthorp today, in a Pigs Are Worth It Campaign conference call.

“We still need to recoup our losses of the last 12 months,” he stressed. “Wheat has come down in price but soya is still strong and compounders will want to recoup some of their own extra charges, so there remains a seriously big challenge facing producers.”

NPA and BPEX chairman Stewart Houston is also concerned to ensure that processors and retailers understand that pig producers are still in crisis. “A spot price of 140p may look like a bonanza but we need 140p or more for the next year just to cover our increased cost of production,” he said.

As a result of the more insidious threat now facing pig producers — that retailers, processors and consumers will think the industry is home and dry — the Pigs Are Worth It Campaign, far from being stepped down, will be escalated.

The Campaign will increasingly stress the importance of building a sustainable supply chain for British pigmeat.

Young NPA dinner

If you are youngish in pig industry terms, this invitation is for you, even though it falls on a school night. Young NPA is holding a dinner at the Ramada Hotel (Fairfield Manor), York, on Thursday 10 July.

Guest speaker will be Rick Sanderson, pork chain business development manager for PIC (UK), who will talk about meat quality, carcass balance and factors that influence consumer buying preferences.

Lis Ravn of BPEX is organising the event, and dinner will be provided free. It will be a good opportunity to talk over events in the pig industry and to make new contacts.

"The event is open to all young(ish) people in the industry," says NPA's Zoe Davies. "You don't have to be a member of Young NPA to attend." Interested? Contact Zoe or Lis.

Indoors or outdoors? Pig industry offers consumers a choice

Researchers for a Jamie Oliver television series are looking closely at the British pig industry with a view to making British pigs the subject of the chef’s next big campaign (as highlighted on this page recently).

NPA‘s Barney Kay arranged for them to see David Morgan’s high-welfare indoor pigs in Yorkshire. He wanted them to understand that it would be inaccurate to label indoor pigs bad and outdoor pigs good; they should see the two methods of raising pigs as the industry’s way of offering choice to consumers.

He also wanted them to be aware of the differences between indoor production in Britain compared to indoor production on the continent.

“Some humans live in cities, cheek by jowl, whilst others choose to live more extensively in the countryside,” said producer Richard Longthorp today. "It doesn’t mean to say that one way is better or worse than the other, and it is the same with pigs.”

If Jamie Oliver’s television programme does major on the pig industry, it has the potential to be extremely helpful to the industry. However there is an awareness in the industry that almost all television programmes look for sensation and like to polarise issues — so there is also a significant element of risk that the publicity will not be all good.

Retailers and meat and bonemeal

One of the Big Four retailers is muttering about moving to 100 percent outdoor pork. Another is keen to take pigs only from units that don’t use farrowing crates. One has indicated it might ban processed animal protein in the diets of the pigs it buys (when dietary processed animal proteins are reintroduced in the not too-distant future).

These behind-the-scenes developments indicate that meat buyers have still not fully grasped the enormity of the new world order, where valuable and safe sources of protein cannot be overlooked by producers, or indeed governments, and where the British pig industry is now too small to serve some niche welfare markets.

A quick phone poll of producers today suggests that having seen the duplicity of retailers in importing cheap pigmeat from the stalls-and-castration systems common on the continent, producers will not go along with any retailer ban on farrowing crates and dietary processed animal protein — unless a significant ongoing premium is on the table.

Wales could go it alone

Small abattoirs are a key part of the rural community and maintaining current slaughtering capacity is vital, according to Welsh Assembly rural affairs minister Elin Jones, who has pledged to do whatever she can to keep local abattoirs open — even going it alone and providing Wales-only support if need be. She was responding to fears expressed by Brian George, who runs a small slaughterhouse at the rear of his butcher's shop in Talgarth and whose current meat hygiene charges of around £5,000 a year could soar to as much as £25,000 if Food Standards Agency proposals get the go ahead later in the year.

Investigation into United States biodiesel imports

The European Union has today started anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations into imports of biodiesel from the United States. Examination by the European Commission of complaints lodged by European industry found that an investigation was warranted — sufficient evidence was provided of subsidies to the United States biodiesel sector, as well as dumping of biodiesel in the European market. The complainant has argued that this has had an adverse effect on the European biodiesel industry. A detailed investigation by the Commission will now determine whether measures are justified under European Union trade rules.

Who will feed the world?

France, which takes over the European Union presidency next month, has organised, with the European Commission and the European Parliament, a conference "Who will feed the world?", on July 3, in Brussels.

Recent increases in food prices are having a dramatic impact on the world's poorest populations. The European Commission recently adopted on a communication (published here) outlining the European response to mitigate the effects of rising food prices. The European Council will discuss the effects of rising food prices next week.

Marketing group buys Porcofram

BOCM Pauls has sold Porcofram Marketing to Thames Valley Cambac. Thames Valley will now handle over 20 percent of available British pigs.

Thames Valley Cambac's increased critical mass in a marketing sector that is reducing in size will enable the group to build on its relationships with processor customers for the benefit of its producer members, said Thames Valley Cambac chairman producer Charles Allen this morning.

BOCM Pauls will keep Porcofram’s marketing software, which supports over 20 percent of all pigs marketed in Britain.

Alongside the company’s Pig Monitor and Growth Model systems it provides a range of technical solutions available to the industry and strengthens the company’s support to its feed customers, said Tony Suckling, director of pig marketing.

Thames Valley Cambac’s acquisition of Porcofram is a result of ongoing consolidation in the British pig industry and increasing concentration into fewer hands at both processor and producer level.

Following a review, BOCM Pauls concluded that critical mass had become an increasingly important issue and either a partnership or consolidation with a similar minded business would provide the best long term opportunities.

“Following a positive proposal from Thames Valley Cambac - the leading independent farmer-owned pig marketing co-operative - the decision has been taken to sell the marketing business to them, thus creating a marketing group handling over 20 percent of available British pigs,” said BOCM Pauls director Jonathan Farnhill.

According to Thames Valley Cambac general manager Andrew Stockings the acquisition will give the marketing sector a renewed impetus to overcome “the lows of recent times”.

 

 

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