Copper cuts blamed for production bulge
UK - The current drop in prices to producers can partly be blamed on the new dietary copper restrictions that came into force earlier this year.
11 August 2004
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The result was a slow down in growth on many units, with the result that pigs that should have been ready for slaughter in July were pushed into August when demand for pork is traditionally lower (see Traffic Lights chart above).
The good news, however, is that the bulge is expected to have worked through the system by October, and this will help prices recover.
The EU copper cuts were introduced in January and producers were required to use up existing diets by April 26. Typically copper had been added to diets at up to 175mg a kilo up to 16 weeks of age, reducing thereafter.
At this level it had a discernible growth promotion effect. The new levels are a maximum 170mg/kg for pigs to 12 weeks and only 25mg/kg thereafter - a significant cut. - D.S.
Source: Digby Scott - National Pig Association - 10th August 2004
