Alistair Driver

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

UK retail purchases of pigmeat meat grew slightly over the first three months of 2025, driven by an increase in primary cut volumes, according to Kantar data. In the 12 weeks to March 2023, overall retail sales volumes were up 0.3%, equivalent to 542 tonnes more than the same period last year, according to AHDB analysis of the data. Spend on pigmeat increased by 1.5% year-on-year on the back of a 1.2% increase in average prices paid.

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

The NPA is urging members to engage with a forthcoming consultation on significant changes to Red Tractor standards, including the introduction of tiered welfare standards. Red Tractor will be hosting a webinar to discuss its proposals on April 24. This will be followed a few days later by the launch of a consultation on an enhanced welfare module that could cover both outdoor and indoor production.

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

The next and final NPA Spring Regional meeting will take place at Wymondham Rugby Club on Tuesday, April 22, starting at 6.30pm. The Eastern event will include presentations from the team covering the latest on African swine fever, biosecurity and border control, farrowing systems, the Fair Dealing Obligations regs and animal rights activity. This will be followed by a presentation from AHDB Pork, which will also focus on consumer insight data and their environmental workstreams.

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

UK pigmeat production during the first quarter of 2025 was 6.4% up on the same period a year ago, Defra statistics show. March UK lean pig slaughterings were 6% up year on year at 857,000 head, with pigmeat production nearly 7% up at 81,000 tonnes. Average weekly slaughterings, at 194,000 head, were down on both the January and February figures, however.

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

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) has launched a Multi-Stakeholder Action Plan, backed by various prominent players in the supply chain and the NPA, to accelerate the move towards alternative farrowing systems in the UK. The plan identifies three key barriers to change – economic challenges, knowledge gaps, and stakeholder alignment – and aims to provide a clear set of actions to overcome them.