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.

Three workshops attended by pig keepers, managers and stockmen in the Eastern Counties covered the use of veterinary medicines and vaccines. The main issues highlighted were the importance of: training staff to a recongnised standard, a robust recording system for medicine usage that would stand up to scrutiny, ensuring withdrawal periods are properly adhered to so that there is no possibility of residue in carcases.

Ian Dennis said: "The meetings were attended by many forward thinking producers. The purpose of my presentation was to facilitate a change of attitude so producers think of themselves as very much a part of the food chain.

"British standards are already very high, but producers need an even greater awareness of their accountability to their ever more exacting customer base."

The next round of BPEX-RMIF best practice workshop events will be run through March in conjunction with EEDA focusing on artificial insemination (AI) management techniques as part of the BPEX AI programme. Interested producers should contact RMIF on-farm coordinator Fiona Washington on: 01908 844245.

Source: the National Pig Association - 21st February 2006