http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/fooddrinkagriculture?articleid=4383623

One quote: "The UK pig industry had recently started exporting live 
breeding pigs, with the Chinese recognising that some of the best 
genetics in the world can be sourced from British breeders."

I'm sure Pat will be delighted with this boost to the hard-pressed pig 
industry.

-- 
Malcolm

On Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:45:00 +0100, Malcolm
 wrote:

>
>http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/fooddrinkagriculture?articleid=4383623
>
>One quote: "The UK pig industry had recently started exporting live 
>breeding pigs, with the Chinese recognising that some of the best 
>genetics in the world can be sourced from British breeders."
>
>I'm sure Pat will be delighted with this boost to the hard-pressed pig 
>industry.

My understanding is that despite what is said in the article

"The UK pig industry had recently started exporting live breeding
pigs, with the Chinese recognising that some of the best genetics in
the world can be sourced from British breeders. "

no live pigs have actually been exported and that the requirements of
the health certification have yet to be agreed.

I think the second part of the quote owes more to over enthusiasm,
probably from BPEX, than reality. BPEX do not represent Scotland.
Scotland took their money and disassociated themselves from the
organisation, as did Wales.

I have few concerns about pork exports, but I am concerned about live
pig exports. The only pig testing station in Britain has long been
closed due to contamination by PMWS. 

There is, I am told, no test for PMWS in live pigs.

So, the certification agreement is important and not merely a
formality. I'm sure the Chinese are aware of the situation. Everyone
else is.

The pig industry is hard pressed. The health situation has continually
deteriorated. Over the past decade the death toll has shifted from
piglets to finishers. Dead piglets are a loss of potential, dead
finishers are a waste of weeks of expensive feed.

The last figures I have seen show a doubling in the death rate for
finishers over the last decade. That hits the bottom line hard.
Increased sales, from a loss making production line, don't help much.

You can't make money out of sick pigs.

-- 
Regards
Pat Gardiner
Release the results of testing British pigs for MRSA and C.Diff now!
www.go-self-sufficient.com  and http://animal-epidemics.blogspot.com/