Environment Information Hub for Producers

The British Pig Executive is launching a new web-based hub offering producers the chance to gather all the information they need to understand laws, regulations, forms and debates about the environment as it will affect their farms.

The hub has been developed by BPEX Environment Programme Manager Nigel Penlington, who has pulled together information from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the National Pig Association.

The aim of the hub is to help pig farmers comply with the range of environmental rules and regulations and it coordinated all the information that is scattered across many websites, giving the farmer easy access to help him understand the issues and problems.

Mr Penlington said: "At present information about environmental issues, regulation and good practice is located in many different places and formats, usually divided by topic.

"Access for those needing this information can be difficult, time consuming and frustrating.

"The aim of this easy access portal is for it to become a recognised and comprehensive focus point for obtaining up to date and authoritative information."

BPEX said that the environment hub is a central enabling tool primarily aimed at pig producers, but it will also become a resource for all parts of the supply chain, regulators and policy makers.

The executive says it goes beyond the legislation and rule books, linking ton background information, research and technical documents, so the user can develop and expand the knowledge and understanding.

Mr Penlington added: "Through this process, we hope to develop understanding and from this will come ideas, innovation, adoption and improvement."

The environment hub will address:

• Resource use
• Building design
• Diffuse [pollution to air, water and soil
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Energy conservation and generation
• Outdoor pig keeping