Key role for Northern Ireland in European pig industry

Northern Ireland is to play a key role in EU funded research into pig welfare and production techniques.

Experts at Northern Ireland's Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) are taking part in a new pan-European project - EU PIG.

This four-year €2 million Euro project will collate and disseminate information in the areas of health management, precision production, animal welfare and meat quality.

Dr Elizabeth Magowan, the AFBI lead researcher, commenting on the project, says: "AFBI's involvement in this project demonstrates how important the research conducted in AFBI is at a wider European level.

"Our participation in this project will also bring state of the art knowledge in all of these areas back to Northern Ireland pig producers. As such we are delighted to be part of the consortium."

EU PIG, led by AHDB Pork, is a consortium of 19 organisations from 13 Member States which together account for 92 per cent of the EU's pig meat production and 89 per cent of the EU's pig herd. The consortium consists of, or will have links to, national and regional pig producer groups, researchers, rural development boards and innovation practitioners, including a number of small and medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Northern Ireland has several pork processors, both large and small, including Cranswick, which recently acquired the Dunbia business at Ballymena, and Karro.

EU PIG is a new concept which aims to improve the connection between producers and the latest science, husbandry techniques and technologies from within the industry via fellow producers, academics and advisors connected through the creation of thematic and regional platforms. It is funded by the European Commission's research and development programme, 'Horizon 2020'.

The next four years will see new management tools created and practical guidance available for all parts of the industry. Innovative best practice, combined with scientific knowledge, will be identified and shared via a comprehensive website explaining in detail the project objectives and how to get involved.

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for Northern Ireland's Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.