Consultation to suspend PIDS levy

A LEVY to help the Pig Industry in the wake of Classical Swine Fever has served its initial purpose and a proposal to reduce it to zero is now going out to the industry for consultation.

The Pig Industry Development Scheme levy came into force in July 2001 at a level of 20p per pig and the money was used to repay a loan from Defra.

The loan was to enhance government payments for stock sold into the Pig Welfare Disposal Scheme during the 2000 CSF outbreak in East Anglia.

The PIDS board backed by the British Pig Executive have recommended the levy be reduced to zero from August 31, 2003 at the latest.

BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan said: "The PIDS board and BPEX reviewed the amount of money collected to date, together with interest, and projected pig slaughterings in the coming months.

"The conclusion is that enough money will have been raised to repay Defra by the end of August.

"The PIDS board asked the Meat and Livestock Commission to endorse the decision and Commissioners have agreed to consult the industry on the proposal."

Mr Sloyan said PIDS would remain in place, giving the industry the flexibility to reactivate the scheme should it be needed again in the future.