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.

In his address, Dr Blaha will speak about how carcase scoring in Germany is being used to improve the health of pigs.

British pig-keepers will be particularly interested in this subject, as most have now signed up to England’s own carcase scoring scheme, which promises great things.

Dr Blaha is also a world authority on salmonella and producers in ZAP groups two and three may wish to take the opportunity to quiz him on reducing salmonella on their farms.

He was organiser and chairman of the scientific committee of the Third International Symposium on the Epidemiology and Control of Salmonella in Pork in Washington DC in 1999.

And he is chairman of the long-term project, "Salmonella Abatement in the Pork Chain" for the United States National Pork Producers Council.

He has been a consultant to the World Health Organisation on the veterinary use of antimicrobials in food animals.

His books include "Applied Veterinary Epidemiology“ and “Quality Assurance in the Pork Chain – Animal Health, Food Safety and Animal Welfare.“

“Pig-keepers will find him a mine of useful information," said Digby Scott. "I am delighted he has accepted our invitation to attend Pig Fair in May. If anyone wishes to contact him before the event, I have his contact details."

Source: the National Pig Association - 12th January 2006