David Black Award 2008

Ian Campbell was named as the winner of the award - which is presented annually to somebody who has made "a positive and sustained contribution" to the pig industry - during an industry breakfast at the House of Lords.

Campbell, a former chocolate salesman, began his career in the pig industry in 1970 when he started selling animal feed. He then moved into pig genetics, working for United Pig Breeders before setting up his own AI equipment and consultancy firm, Unitron.

It is for his political contribution that he is best known, however. Campbell started working for the National Pig Association shortly after it was formed, and as East Anglian regional manager he provdided a vital link between industry and government during animal disease outbreaks.

Announcing the award, BPEX chairman and chair of the panel of judges, Mick Sloyan said: "Ian has made a significant contribution to the pig sector, above all through his ability to communicate not only with producers but also with partners in the supply chain, welfare groups, government official, international organisations and many others."

Campbell said he was "genuinely thrilled" to receive the award and "simply honoured that my peers think me worthy of such an accolade."

"I have had a huge amount of satisfaction from what I have done. Pig producers are a really lovely group of people who, along with their farming colleagues, greatly contribute to the environment in which we live," he added.

Campbell is a fellow of the Royal Agricultural College and a member of the National Fallen Stock Company as well as numerous local organisations in Suffolk. He was awarded an MBE earlier this year.

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