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The initiative was launched last Autumn and the aim is for pig farmers to be connected directly to the point of sale and to see direct benefits from it.

Improved supply chain co-operation is a core strand of the BPEX strategy the Road to Recovery. The grants come from 3500,000 of promotion money, earmarked this year to develop the new ideas in this area.

From the first round of applications, nine projects worth a total of 3326,130 in the first year and 3687,000 over three years, have been approved.

Meat and Livestock Commission Marketing Manager for pig meat, Chris Lukehurst, said: “There was a great response to the supply chain initiative and we were very pleased with both the quality and the quantity of applications.

We are looking forward to seeing what applications come in for the next round of grants. We are already talking to a number of potential applicants.

“This clearly shows the pig industry is ready, willing and able to help itself and can put in the hard work necessary but pig producers can’t do it on their own which is why co-operation along the supply chain is so vital.“

Applications for the next round of grants will be welcomed between Monday, January 6, and Friday, February 14. The results will be announced on Friday, March 28.

The grants awarded are as follows:

Improved Pork Consistency through Greater Supply Chain Co-operation
Project Leader: Michael Wijnberg; Dalehead Foods
Description: To realise greater consistency of carcase quality through improved supply chain co-operation. This project is founded on the premise that by synchronising the genetic, nutritional, health and management inputs into a group of farms, greater consistency of their product can be achieved.

The Marketing of Pigmeat produced through the LincPorc Scheme
Project Leader: Mark Haighton; Geo Adams and Sons Ltd.
Description: To employ a Marketing Manager to expand an established supply chain.

The Pork Initiative Group (PIG)
Project Leader: Rick Sanderson; Grampian Country Pork Suffolk Ltd.
Description: To use group purchase of inputs such as feeds and genetics with 100% AI to fast track improvements in consistency and thus form a supply base dedicated to a major supermarket (ultimately 7,000 pigs per week).

UK Pork Chain Provenance
Project Leader: Nigel Bateson; PIC UK Ltd.
Description: To establish a model by which absolute provenance for all UK produced pork can be assured and subsequently replicated throughout the UK pork industry, without the need for tagging of animals.

Best Pork
Project Leader: JP Garnier.
Description: To create and develop a fully differentiated pork supply chain for a major retailer’s premium brand. To develop a unique range of fresh pork and pork products under the premium brand and own label to fully optimise the whole carcase.

Simple Supper & Farm Fresh
Project Leader: David Graham; D&G Graham and Son.
Description: To establish a farmhouse kitchen facility (on farm) supplying a local retailer.

Wessex Outdoor Pig Partnership
Project Leader: David Thomson.
Description: To assist the preparation of a feasibility study to identify other sources of funding to develop and sustain a regional outdoor pig producers marketing co-operative.

Wicks Manor Pork
Project Leader: Furgus Howie; TL Howie and Sons.
Description: Pig producer already supplying farmers markets, pubs, restaurants and local retailers (including local brands to one major supermarket) wishes to develop sausage range to supply the local brand of another major multiple.

Premium Product Supply Chain Development
Project Leader: Colin Woodall ; Woodall.
Description: An established quality processor wishing to expand sales of quality air dried hams and bacon from its current established regional base into the south east of England.

Source: Meat and Livestock Commission - 4th December 2002