Task force launched to secure UK pig industry
An initiative to help secure the future of the UK pig industry has been announced by DEFRA.
The Pig Meat Supply Chain Task Force will look at ways to improve supply chains and increase the resilience of the industry.
Announcing the initiative at the NFU conference in Birmingham on Tuesday (17 February), farming minister Jane Kennedy said the task force will work on uniting the supply chain.
It will also look at issues including labelling, public sector procurement and industry collaboration with government.
Mrs Kennedy said the initiative, which comes after the industry received positive coverage from TV chef Jamie Oliver’s programme on UK pig production, aimed to help make the industry sustainable in the long term.
“While many parts of the UK pig industry are highly organised, professional and forward-thinking, it does face some serious problems and challenges,” she told delegates.
“Everyone involved in the pig meat supply chain has a duty to ensure that there is a fair deal for all.”
The task force, which will be made up of key representatives from all sectors of the pig meat supply chain, will meet for the first time next month to discuss how confidence in the future of the industry can be improved.
- Follow the conference on our NFU conference special report page