Some of the projects include:

• A pig business network to improve benchmarking, collaboration and efficiencies across the supply chain
• Provision of additional support for the QMS pork promotion campaign
• Research into pigmeat labelling
• New guidance and one-to-one advice on slurry and waste management
• Research into Pig Wasting Multi-Systemic Syndrome
• Research to develop a test for mycotoxin zearalenone, a feed contaminant affecting breeding and growth rates, in pig tissues.

In addition to these, a new nationwide pig health project has progressed with the appointment of a new Pig Veterinary Adviser.

Iain Mortimer has a wide experience in veterinary practice in the UK, Ireland and Australia, with a particular interest in epidemiology and informatics.

Andy McGowan, Head of Industry Development at QMS, said, "Achieving success in regional disease eradication requires the coordination of numerous individual veterinary practices across Scotland and in order to do this, we need someone with the credibility and technical knowledge to gain their cooperation."

Welcoming the appointment, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead said, "Our pig producers already display excellent husbandry skills; this appointment allows us to use that platform to further enhance the sustainability of the sector through addressing a number of production-related conditions."