The British pig industry is still showing improved production performance according to the latest Cost of Production survey published by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

© www.bpex.org.uk

This comprehensive report covers 13 countries for the year 2006 and shows improvements in Britain in both litters per sow and pigs born alive per litter.

Great Britain remains among those EU countries with relatively high production costs. This reflects the unique nature of British pig production and particularly the higher welfare systems used in this country.

The key points are:

• Post-weaning mortality continued to decline
• The number of pigs finished per sow increased
• Average daily liveweight gain increased by 16g
• More recent data shows post-weaning mortality is continuing to decline.

BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan said: "It is encouraging to see the investment made by pig producers in recent years is paying off with clear benefits for pig welfare and better productivity.

"The top third of British producers are already on a par with the rest of Europe which is an encouragement to the rest of the industry to attain the same levels.

"The report illustrates how important feed is in the overall cost of production in all countries around the world.

"We are all aware of how difficult it will be for English pig producers to continue to make progress given the intense pressure from higher feed costs and little movement in pig prices.

"BPEX is committed to helping the industry through the feed cost campaign to which £1.5 million has been pledged and the continued hard work of the Knowledge Transfer team making sure the best technical know-how is available to all producers."

The report, Cost of Production in Selected Countries not only looks at the EU but also includes Brazil, Canada and the United States.

The report is the sixth in a series that examines the relative costs of production in selected countries.

It is a joint project involving a number of EU organisations and countries, known collectively as InterPIG. Ten of the 13 InterPIG members are in the EU while Brazil, Canada and the United States have joined this year.

Copies, free to pig producers and processors in England and Wales are available from Tony Fowler on 01908 844281, email tony_fowler@mlc.org.uk.

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