Progress is being made with the development of a border control post (BCP) at the Hook of Holland, which should enable the the resumption exports of live pig breeding stock from the UK next year, according to British Pig Association chief executive Marcus Bates.
Mr Bates, who is a director of UKTAG, a company set up to help promote UK exports, said the operators of the current equine BCP at Hook, in the Netherlands, are applying for their licence to be extended to cover ungulates as well.
“This would mean they could handle shipments of pigs in future. There will be some small modifications needed to the handling facilities but the good news is that the facility is already there, unlike the situation in Calais,” he said.
UK pig breeders have been unable to export live animals for breeding to the EU since our formal departure from the EU in January, 2021, due to a lack of suitable BCPs to inspect the animals at key ports.
This has had a big impact on some individual businesses, which have been forced to find alternative outlets for their high value stock.
British presence at Eurotier
Mr Bates also highlighted a strong British presence at EuroTier 2024, one of Europe’s biggest livestock shows, which takes place from November 12 to 15.
The event, which describes itself as the world’s leading trade fair, will feature more than 2,100 exhibitors from across the world, covering genetics, housing, feeding, automation, animal welfare and more over 13 large halls. The British Livestock stand is number 11F12, in Hall 11.
Highlights include the EuroTier Innovation Awards and DLG-Spotlights, including an event on ‘pig farming without tail docking’.
- See www.eurotier.com