David Black Award picked up by Paul Toplis

14-11-2011 | Home | News

Paul Toplis, technical director of Primary Diets, collected the David Black Award for outstanding achievements in the pig industry earlier this month at Westminster, London.

Accepting the award from Food & Farming Minister, Jim Paice, Mr Toplis (pictured) was recognised for his life-long career in the feed industry and pioneering research into nutrition for young pigs, resulting in significant financial benefits to UK & European pig producers over many years.

BPEX director Mick Sloyan, who chaired the panel of judges, said Toplis had worked “tirelessly, with modesty and enthusiasm” to help pig producers. “His skills, talent and enthusiasm have therefore been recognised by his peers.”

Of the award itself, Paul said he was extremely honoured: “I do feel this is much more of a recognition of my role than of me as an individual. That role is one of knowledge transfer, by both getting research quickly into farm diets and through frequent farmer talks and farm visits.”

The David Black Award is given each year to an individual who is judged to have made a significant contribution to the British Pig Industry. It is believed this is the first time in its 50 year history that the award has been given to someone in the feed sector.