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Exports brighten up pig industry
Yorkshire pig breeding company ACMC has announced in a
press release on Friday orders for breeding stock worth nearly a quarter of a
million pounds from European countries, including Poland and Spain where new
genetics company, Genetica Meidam Sl, is being set up with ACMC as a major
shareholder. This follows the opening up of the EU market after Britain was
officially declared free from foot-and-mouth disease within
Europe.
Export orders from Russia, China, Thailand and the Philippines are expected
to resume now that the OIE — the world organisation for animal health — has
given Britain international FMD-free status.
"I believe the fact that so many countries have been prepared to wait for
British stock, rather than go elsewhere for their breeding pigs reflects well on
our reputation for quality genetics," commented ACMC chairman, Stephen
Curtis.
"While the UK pig farmers, including ourselves, are having a very rough ride
at the moment, this is good news for the pig industry as a whole," he added.
"Due to the continuous shrinkage of the UK pig herd, breeding companies in
Britain rely on the export market to help fund their genetic development
programmes which in turn offer direct benefits to British producers."
In addition, as a result of the healthy export trade developed by ACMC, the
company is now looking for farmers who will act as multipliers to produce
high-health stock. These need to be in areas of low pig density. "They can be
situated in England, Scotland or Wales and offer an opportunity to the farmers
to add value to their stock," said Stephen Curtis.
Related website:
• ACMC
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