10p cut in pig levy

The one-year cut, which takes affect from April 1, will reduce the total levy paid by producers to 75p per pig slaughtered.

The BPEX board has also taken a strategic decision to use reserves and increase spending by £2.5m. The extra money is being spent on promoting the industry and building on the continuing feed cost crisis campaign, to maintain the momentum built up so far and achieve a fair price for producers.

BPEX is carrying out a range of Knowledge Transfer and Research and Development work, including a £1.5m PCV2 vaccination scheme, which offers producers vouchers for the vaccine.

BPEX chief executive Mick Sloyan said: "As the industry is in crisis due to the huge increase in feed costs, the board decided to use the reserves to provide a direct benefit to producers in their time of need.

"We are aware of the magnitude of what we are trying to achieve and will use every resource we have at our disposal to assist the industry.

"The Board believes these initiatives will enhance the range of activities already being delivered and this is the best way BPEX can help the whole English pig industry meet the considerable challenges ahead.

"The temporary reduction in the levy paid by English producers has been approved by ministers and will come into force from April 1 for the financial year 2008/09."

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