- National Pig Association
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National Pig Association Abbreviation NPA Motto Fighting for the growth and prosperity of the British pig industry Formation October 1999 Type Trade association Legal status Non-profit company (No. 3859242) Purpose/focus Pig farming in the UK Headquarters Agriculture House Location Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ Region served UK Membership British pig farmers General Manager Barney Kay Main organ NPA Board (Chairman - Stewart Houston) Parent organization NFU Affiliations Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (BPEX - British Pig Executive) Website NPA The National Pig Association is the trade association for the pig industry in the UK.
Contents
History
It was formed in October 1999 from the British Pig Association and the pig component of the NFU.[1]
Welfare standards
The BPA claims that British pigs are kept to the best welfare standards in the world. Welfare standards in Denmark, home of Danish Bacon, are lower. Pigs bred in Denmark for British markets have to comply to higher welfare standards than pigs for the Danish market. Much pork in British supermarkets comes from across the EU, where (unlike Britain) sows are kept throughout their 16-week pregnancy in gestation crates, also known as sow stalls. The sow will spend most of their three to four year lifespan confined in the crates. This is not allowed in the UK, since 1999, or Sweden.
British pig industry
The British pig industry has faced economic hardship. In 2007 the NPA calculated that British farmers lose £26 for every pig they produce, when there was a large increase in the cost of animal feed. This led to the BPA contributing to a campaign song entitled Stand By Your Ham, a remake of the country music song Stand by Your Man, under the banner of Pig Aid. This was at a time when there was estimated to be 1,500 pig farmers in the UK who received around £1.10 per kilogram of pork.
In 2011, the NPA calculated that on average British pig farmers are losing £21 per pig they produce. In total British pig farmers are losing £4 million pounds per week, with processors of pig meat making £8 million a week, and pig meat retailers making £16 million a week.
Structure
It is based in Stoneleigh Park, the site of the NFU. Its members represent 85% of the British pig industry.
Function
It represents the British pig industry. It produces the trade journal Pig World which has a circulation of around 4,200 and is produced in Benniworth, Market Rasen.[2]
See also
- British Pig Association - maintains a register of the pig breeds in the UK
References
External links
British pork cuts on a pig
Video clips
- NPA Downing Street rally in March 2011
- Pig and Poultry Fair 2008
- Stand By Your Ham by Pig Aid in February 2008
News items
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