Top pig industry accolade awarded to animal nutritionist

The annual award, which is now in its 51st year, was presented by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice at a breakfast attended by industry officials at the House of Lords.

Paul Toplis is technical director of Primary Diets, a division of AB Agri, and has spent his career working in the feed business. He is recognised as one of the world’s leading experts on nutrition in young pigs and has participated in pioneering research work, as well as being actively involved with the Agskills training initiative.

He has played a leading role in the Allied Industry Confederation, The Society of Feed Technologists and in Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) and is one of the few non-vets to be a senior member of the Pig Veterinary Society.

Bpex director Mick Sloyan, who chaired the judges, said: “Paul has worked tirelessly with modesty and enthusiasm to help pig producers. Through working in a quiet and determined way across the whole spectrum of the industry, including farmers, feed suppliers and vets, he has made a significant contribution to the industry over many years.

“He has the ability to communicate at all levels, from on-farm training to international conferences.

Toplis said he was extremely honoured to receive the award. He said: “I do feel this is much more a recognition of my role than of me as an individual.”

Toplis started his career at RHM Agriculture, where he became chief nutritionist, before moving to SCA Nutrition in 1989 to develop exports. His work there helped the company win the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1994 and, two years later, he formed Primary Diets with three fellow directors. He successfully stood against the European Parliament and EU Council over a directive that would have forced the industry to make public knowledge which would be of great benefit to competitors, a decision which was upheld by the The European Court of Justice.

In addition to the David Black Award, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) was presented with the ‘Sausage Oscars’, the British Banger Award 2011 for its committment to the sector after the Food Advisory Committee required contract caterers to source sausages, pork, ham and bacon to Red Tractor assured standards. The immediate result of this measure was that the number of catering butchers who have become licensed for Red Tractor Assured Pork has doubled in the last year as the 11 contacted caterers seek to ensure that the supply chains comply with these requirements. Jan Matthews, LOCOG’s head of catering, collected the award.

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