PIG & POULTRY FAIR: United Kingdom

The show reflected a positive atmosphere in the country as the UK has been one of the few in which pig producers have started to make money again.

Mick Sloyan, chairman of the British Pig Executive, opened a press conference on the state of British pig production, mentioning the positive margin, averaging something like £4 per pig. He said, "Not only are we in the black, but we are also seeing improvements in productivity and the trend there is going in the right direction."

There is still a lot to be done on efficiency figures, hence the new initiative by BPEX to promote the two tonne sow – how to reach an output of 2,000 kg of pork per sow? A target easily met by pork producing countries around the UK, so Dr Mike Varley, BPEX R&D and knowledge transfer, said this can be done in Britain too, by focusing on all aspects of production, like breeding, finishing, health, nutrition, buildings, training.

Another workshop dived into the future of feed. AB Vista's research director Mike Bedford explained about the role of phytase in feed.

Professor Helen Miller, Leeds University, explained how nutrigenomics can make the industry better aware of the exact effect of nutrition on an animal's genome and how this allows us to more efficiently use feed.

Many large British companies were strongly present, like AB Nutrition, being a co-sponsor of the P&P Fair. AB Nutrition is holding company of AB Vista.

Breeding company JSR announced a new nucleus herd project in China for 900 sows in Hubei province.

SCA NuTec was also present – as it is a very strong brand globally it will be one of the few that will continue to exist after the 'one brand strategy' operation of holding company Provimi.

Biotal - agent for Lallemand products in the UK.

Many international companies were also present, like e.g. Merial, that could be found in the Blackwell buildings.