MLC to decide on swine fever levy
25 January 2001
MLC to decide on swine fever levy
By Alistair Driver
A NEW statutory levy on pigs to raise 4 million for farmers hit by swine-fever controls could move a step closer on Thursday (25 January).
The Meat and Livestock Commission has weighed up responses to an industry consultation on a 20p levy on all pigs slaughtered in Britain.
It will now announce whether it will recommend to the government that legislation is introduced so that the levy can be imposed.
An MLC spokesman said there was still “much to be debated” over the levy.
But National Pig Association (NPA) producer group chairman Stewart Houston told FARMERS WEEKLY that he was confident of a positive decision.
“The industry response was generally favourable,” he said.
The levy, administered through the Pig Industry Development Scheme (PIDS), could be in place by the end of February, added Mr Houston.
The levy money will add to MAFF payments for East Anglian farmers who placed pigs in the welfare slaughter scheme to relieve overcrowding on farms.
Pig farmers felt the MAFF limit of 50 a pig was not enough. More than 170,000 pigs were slaughtered under the scheme.
If approval is given, the NPA hopes ministers will lend money to the PIDS to help farmers immediately. The cash would be paid back when the levy is in place.
Once 4m has been raised for swine fever payments, in about two years, the fund may be used to deal with other disease problems.
Mr Houston said the NPA supported the scheme, despite the concerns of some farmers that an industry levy would let the government off the hook.
Meanwhile, pig producers are also set to benefit from the latest round of the 4.6m MLC pigmeat advertising campaign with a fortnight of radio commercials.
The 40 second adverts will be aired nearly 3500 times on 60 radio stations.
Promotion will focus on the British Meat Quality Standard Mark for pigmeat, with the slogan “Its the small mark that makes the big difference”.
There will also be adverts in magazines and national newspapers.