Pig World invited industry leaders to share their personal highs and lows from 2015, while also expressing a pig sector wish for 2016. Today’s contribution is from National Pig Association chairman, Richard Lister.
PW: What was your pig sector highlight/lowpoint of 2015?
RL: My highlight was seeing the performance from our newly invested farrowing buildings and seeing the look of happiness/excitement on Steve the unit manager’s face.
My lowpoint was the pork served at the farewell/thank you dinner for industry stalwart Stewart Houston. Not a great advert for our product!
PW: What do you most hope will be achieved by UK pig producers in 2016?
RL: With currency, market access and oversupply all working against us we are moving into a period of severe price pressure. I hope that UK producers can come through this without taking too much financial damage. Let us hope this resurgent industry isn’t squeezed to the point where we lose sow numbers.
PW: What one pig industry experience did you enjoy most in 2015?
RL: I would have said the Pig World Awards Dinner until I attended the Young NPA meeting in London in early December and enjoyed seeing the next generation challenging and debating with the invited speakers. It made me feel good to see how capable and intelligent the future generation is!
PW: Would you like to make a “free pig sector comment” on something about which you feel strongly?
RL: I would like to wish all our NPA members and our AIG members a happy Christmas and a successful New Year and thank them for their support in working together for our industry.
Other “industry leader” contributions will follow between Christmas and New Year.
