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 traditional style, the meeting to discuss this was arranged for a Thursday but this did not seem to deter attendance with most of the major players in the East Anglian scene, present and positive. Many details have still to be decided on the precise structure of the company. Will it be a cooperative or perhaps a company limited by guarantee?

What will be the size of membership fee? Too small and members may lack commitment; too large and it may deter smaller producers. Many other questions are still to be answered. A small steering group will debate these and produce recommendations for all to consider and approve if agreed. Helping with the process is Richard Self from English Food and Farming Partnership and most importantly the venture has the full support of Easton College with one of its directors, Paul Dunning, invited to sit on whatever board structure is eventually agreed.

Although the driving force behind the formation of a training group is the Wednesday Group, members were quite clear at the meeting that the business structure should embrace other major production groups in the region thus increasing the viability of courses and the capacity to fund a first-class coordinator for East Anglia, as per Agskill’s example with Gerry Brent.

The enthusiasm at the meeting for the project is one of the best signs I have seen that the industry is really beginning to believe again in its future and for me, makes the uphill battles we have fought over recent years, all worthwhile.

Source: Ian Campbell - the National Pig Association - 7th February 2006