New project to help pig industry

Published on Thursday 8 January 2009 20:59

A NEW project funded by the Scottish Government has been launched to support the pig industry.

Quality Meat Scotland, the red meat industry promotion and development organisation, is co-ordinating the appointment of a pig veterinary adviser to work with the sector and national organisations to achieve and maintain a high health status for the Scottish pig herd.

It is part of a 1 million package announced in August by Richard Lochhead, the rural affairs secretary, after consultation with pig producers.

Andy McGowan, the head of industry development with QMS, said: "This is a unique opportunity for a talented veterinarian to lead ambitious plans of the Scottish pig industry towards national control and eradication of significant endemic diseases.

"Scotland's pig sector is among the best in Europe in disease prevention, but there is still scope to improve. The employment of someone dedicated to working closely with the industry can help to achieve a high health status, putting us back on track to match the efficiency of the best in the world."

In addition, some of the money will be used to establish "networking" and collaboration within the sector and a closer linkage with the supply chain. Other funds will be directed at the QMS pork promotion campaign and research into better labelling.

There will also be further research into PWMS (pig wasting multi-systemic syndrome), a disease that has cost the industry millions of pounds.