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.

If you don't send in your data on time, or it is inadequately completed, you will lose the discount from April for a minimum of two years - which will mean an immediate rise in electricity bills of around 6-8 percent.

At the last count (two days ago) over 100 members of the pig sector scheme had yet to return their forms. Associa, which administers the scheme for the NFU, is trying to contact non-returners, but the onus is on the producer to submit the data. As this is a milestone year, returning the forms is not optional. If you don't have a form, or if you have lost it, you can call the Associa Helpline on 08708 400 686.

Associa has agreed to extend the deadline to January 1, but there will be no further extensions. The final submission date to Defra has no flexibility. The final figures must be in on time or the whole sector will lose its discount.

If your data is not in the submission, you lose the discount, simple as that. There are no appeals and no excuses. As many cats can eat as much of your homework as you like and it will make no difference. It's not like a late tax return which means a fine and a slap on the wrist.

The current position is that the sector seems likely to achieve target. If it does, all members of the scheme will keep the discount as long as they have sent in their data. So even if you haven't reached your target, send it in.

Targets and Performance

Targets are being and have been reviewed for all sectors with Limate Change Agreements in the light of government policy and performance to date, bearing in mind that each sector which gets a CCL discount is expected to make reasonable efforts within its capability.