Alistair Driver

England

Editor at PigWorld

Editor at Farm Business Magazine

Pig World editor, National Pig Association webmaster, Farm Business editor.

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Articles

Pig industry views sought to inform Minette Batters' farm profitability review

3 days ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

The NPA is seeking the views of pig producers to inform former NFU president Minette Batters’ Defra-commissioned review into the profitability of farming. Baroness Batters, who was asked to carry out the review by Defra secretary Steve Reed, says she is ‘determined to use this opportunity to provide meaningful recommendations to Government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers’.
NPA seeks member views to inform Minette Batters' profitability review

3 days ago | nationalpigassociation.co.uk | Alistair Driver

Baroness Minette Batters, the former NFU president who has been asked to lead a review into the profitability of farming, has issued a plea for farmers to come forward with evidence and ideas to inform the review. Baroness Batters has been asked to carry out the review by Defra secretary Steve Reed and says she is ‘determined to use this opportunity to provide meaningful recommendations to Government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers’.
Defra and APHA 'unprepared for major disease outbreaks'

4 days ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

In a damning report published today, the National Audit Office finds that Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are insufficiently prepared for a major animal disease outbreak and would likely struggle to cope with one. The report is published amid growing concern about the UK’s border controls, as potentially devastating diseases, African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease circulate in Europe and pose an increasing threat.
Animal rights activism update

5 days ago | nationalpigassociation.co.uk | Alistair Driver

The National Pig Association is the representative trade association for British commercial pig producers and is allied to the NFU and represents the pig interests of NFU members. National Pig Association, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2TZ. Registered in England and Wales No. 3859242.
Boehringer Ingelheim releases TwistPak bottle for easier pig vaccination

5 days ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

Boehringer Ingelheim has released a patented bottle system that enables the mixing of two fresh vaccines, Ingelvac CircoFLEX and Ingelvac MycoFLEX, at the point of use without the need for needle transfer. Boehringer said TwistPak for FLEXcombo enables pig producers to combine the two vaccines in a convenient, hygienic, and safe way, compared with mixing via transfer spikes.
Sausage rolls sales surge, as consumers seek value for money and convenience

6 days ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

Pork pastry products such as sausage rolls are seeing a surge in sales, as consumers appreciate the ‘strong value for money offerings’ and demand for snacks and convenient on-the-go meals grows. Kantar data shows that, despite a 6.6% price rise, pork dishes saw an 8.3% year-on-year increase in volume for bakery channels. Popularity in the snacking market is highly beneficial for the pork sector, making up a total of 42.5% of total pork dish volume sales.
Pig farmers urged to complete on impact of zinc oxide ban

1 week ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

Pig producers are being urged to complete a short survey aimed at understanding how the ban on therapeutic zinc oxide (ZnO) is affecting piglet health and performance across the UK. The industry-wide survey, run by Roam Technology — a global, science-driven specialist in hygiene, disinfection, and performance solutions — takes just five minutes to complete.
Wealth of pig industry talent recruited under scholarship scheme

1 week ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

Six recipients have been presented with pig industry-sponsored scholarships at Harper Adams University by Hugh Crabtree, chairman of the Pig Industry Scholarship Programme (PISP). Now in its eleventh year the programme has seen more than 50 students spend their placement years with related companies after graduation. The scheme was set up by the NPA, AHDB and Harper Adams University to encourage skilled people into the pig industry.
China drives increase in UK pork exports

1 week ago | pig-world.co.uk | Alistair Driver

The volume of UK pork exports in the first quarter of 2025 increased by 4% year on year, driven by higher volumes to China. A total of 77,800 tonnes of pigmeat was exported in the first three months of 2025, with all product categories except bacon recording volume growth. Shipments of offal remain the largest contributor to the export basket at 36,700t (47%), with the majority of this product (22,100t) sent to China.
NPA welcomes introduction of new Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations

1 week ago | nationalpigassociation.co.uk | Alistair Driver

The NPA has welcomed the introduction on new Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations, which have been signed into law by ministers, with the intention of ensuring greater fairness and transparency across the pig supply chain. Under the legislation, which NPA played a big role in drafting, all new pig supply contracts will need to be in writing by default, with clear terms on pricing, volume and dispute resolution. Crucially, any changes to terms must now be agreed by both parties.