The National Pig Association chairman Richard Lister has written to Brexit minister David Davis stressing the importance of the pig industry to Britain's balance of trade.
Richard Lister says future sustainability of the British pig industry can be achieved only if pig producers are able to compete with both their European and global counterparts.
Commending the new minister's view that key stakeholders must be consulted, he highlights the importance of the National Pig Association as an organisation that is affiliated to the NFU and represents over 80 percent of the national pig herd.
Mr Davis said it is ‘common sense’ to consult with the National Farmers Union and other organisations across the UK in regards to post-Brexit decisions.
"The United Kingdom pig industry is worth £1.2 billion at the farm-gate, £5 billion at retail and, considering foodservice and other external sales and export values, over £7.5 billion in total.
"Our now blossoming export market is worth £350 million a year and is a vital component of our profitability in this increasingly volatile sector."
In his letter, Richard Lister calls on the minister to work towards a transition of current European Union regulation into less onerous domestic UK regulation and also stresses the importance of a free-trade agreement post-Brexit.
He proposes an in-constituency meeting to discuss "how we can work together on these key principles", the meeting to include NPA vice-chairman Richard Longthorp, who lives and farms in the minister's Howden constituency.
British pig producers have a 'bright future' outside EU
"British pork has made considerable inroads to world markets over the past two years and we are confident this will continue, as a result of British pork's premium characteristics," the NPA said.
According to an industry poll this weekend, pig producers voted roughly in line with the rest of the country, with around 54 percent wanting Brexit.
"As an association, we may be sceptical about a bonfire of regulations, but we share our Brexit members' belief in the resilience of our industry and the specialness of its product," said NPA chief executive Dr Zoe Davies today.
Key among British pork's sales assets in global markets, particularly China, are its rigorous safety and regulatory credentials, its high welfare characteristics, and its ability to provide different genetics for different price points ranging from modern indoor production to straw-barns to outdoor-reared and outdoor free-range.
"British pork's safety and regulatory credentials are underpinned by regular Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured audits.
"And its unique welfare proposition includes no castration, no gestation stalls, and independent Real Welfare audits where vets score pigs for welfare indicators," the NPA said.
