National Pig Association THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets & caterers – fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry.

• It says its members are unhappy that collection will be on a headage basis for pigs, rather than weight.
  
  

• It is worried that a lack of integrity for paperwork could allow collectors to dump dead pigs in unauthorised areas.
  
  

• It wants a clearer strategy to tell producers about the list of collectors and their contact details - particularly those who went to the trouble to formally express an interest in the scheme last year.
  
  

• It fears a lack of buy-in on biosecurity from potential collectors.
  
  

• And it believes there should be discount arrangements for units with higher levels of mortality.

Following a meeting last week with National Fallen Stock Company chairman Michael Seals, and the director representing pigs, Willie Gordon, NPA says it is sure a national scheme is in the best interests of the industry, and it wishes to work with the directors of the National Fallen Stock Company to forward the initiative.

But...

"Fundamental to the success of the scheme will be the list of available collectors, which was suggested might be produced at the end of July. Producers urgently need access to this list to consider availability, biosecurity and cost," says NPA Producer Group chairman Richard Lister in a letter to Michael Seals. "It was concerning, therefore, to note the re-advertising for collectors in Farmers' Weekly of July 16.

"The Producer Group realise that practical experience of the scheme will help resolve some difficulties. However, producers felt strongly that the industry's key concerns had not yet been addressed, which might undermine both the timing and success of the scheme.

How the fallen stock scheme will work

• The intention is to launch the fallen stock scheme this October - but it could be later.
  
  

• Each member will pay a membership fee of around 325 per one company with one collection point.
  
  

• After joining the scheme, members will be advised of collectors in their area.
  
  

• National Fallen Stock Company will arrange for the fallen stock to be collected and will act as an administrator between the collector and the member.
  
  

• Members will be invoiced as they use the service (ie pay-as-you-go.)
  
  

• Members should choose a collector with a weigher on the vehicle so that fallen stock can be weighed and a receipt issued.
  
  

• National Fallen Stock Company issued initial biosecurity guidance last year and is currently finalising details.
  
  

• Producers will have to take responsibility for their own biosecurity by making appropriate arrangements with their collector.
  
  

• A producer who is not happy to be on a collection "milk run" will have to arrange (and pay for) exclusive visits.
  
  

• Initially the cost of the scheme will be subsidised by government.
  
  

• The scheme "won't be perfect initially" but according to Michael Seals, chairman of the National Fallen Stock Company, it has to be launched this autumn in order to secure government money and to "restore its tarnished image."
  
  

• Collectors have until the end of this month to inform National Fallen Stock Company if they want to be on the list of scheme collectors.
  
  

• Members are advised to look at the scheme as an opening "to create something worthwhile by the end of the government-supported three-year period."