Pig producers have expressed a number of concerns about the National Fallen Stock Scheme but their biggest worry is biosecurity.

This was the strongest element to come out of an internet-based survey carried out by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

Almost 130 respondents took part in the survey from December 2004 to February 2005. The object was to assess producers' current methods of fallen stock disposal, the volume of fallen stock requiring disposal on pig units and the cost of that disposal using public collection services.

The survey also sought to analyse attitudes of pig producers towards the National Fallen Stock Scheme (NFSS), the current and intended rate of uptake of the scheme and to identify barriers to uptake of the scheme where producers indicated they had not registered for the service.

BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan said: "The data provides some clear insights into attitudes of pig producers with businesses ranging in size and located across the country.

"It also helps to identify opportunities as to how the NFSS may be improved for the benefit of the British pig industry."

The information will be used in BPEX and NPA discussions with the National Fallen Stock Scheme Company on how the scheme may be improved for the benefit of the British pig industry.

The 19-page report on the survey can be downloaded as a pdf from the BPEX website, www.bpex.org.uk.