Queens Birthday Honours for pig industry

- Published: 16 June, 2007

Three prominent pig industry figures have been honoured in the Queens Birthday Honours with awards.

Stewart Houston, chairman of the British Pig Executive (BPEX), has been awarded a CBE. Frances Slade, the former chairman of Ladies in Pigs, an MBE and Richard Campbell, former chairman of BPEX, received an OBE.

Houston, a North Yorkshire Pig farmer, has held a range positions within the industry over many years.

He is currently a commissioner of the Meat and Livestock Commission, chairman of the National Pig Association and a member of the new Levy Board UK as well as a number of other organisations.

In the late 1990s when the pig industry was going through a particularly difficult time, he was a leading member of the pressure group, the British Pig Industry Support Group.

Houston, who farms near Bedale, said he was delighted with the award. "It is a fantastic honour to get it. The family are over the moon as they are the ones that made the sacrifices with me working so hard. It's also a recognition that the pig industry has picked itself up and is going forward by its own endeavours by building good relationships with Defra and retailers."

He added his thanks to colleagues and friends whose help had made the award possible.

Slade, former chairman of Ladies In Pigs, was equally ecstatic about her award. "I want to jump up and down. It is a huge honour and a fantastic surprise. I have had a wonderful time in the pig industry and made great friends who are a joy to work with."

Slade has been involved with the pig industry with the National Breeding Association in the mid 1970s, when she and her husband had a herd of pedigree pigs. She won the David Black award in 1999, five years after she became chairman of LIP. Last year Slade retired from LIP, but continues her involvement with the pig industry attending agricultural shows around the country.

Campbell, who now lives in Dorset, was also a commissioner of the MLC and until recently chairman of Assured British Pigs.

He is also the chairman of a farmers co-operative and a former chairman of the NFU pigs committee.