UK pig industry secures tax rebates to document energy savings

New Climate Change Levy targets may save the UK pig industry an estimated £18.5 million over the next 10 years. The National Pig Association ,NPA, and the Farm Energy Centre have been working closely with the Department for Energy and Climate Change to set a 22.7 percent energy saving target for pig producers, which will run from 2014 until 2023.
UK pig farmers who meet this target will be able to claim a discount on the Climate Change Levy of 90 percent on electricity and 65 percent on other eligible fuels. The Department for Energy and Climate Change had proposed a target of 31 percent but Farm Energy Centre and the NPA presented evidence that a lower target of 22.7 percent was more realistic of what producers could achieve by 2020. This change in percentage will mean the scheme will cost members £200,000 less to participate and will generate over £2.75 million in tax rebates. In addition, the reduced energy use by the sector will lead to a collective reduction in energy bills of over £15.5 million
“We are pleased that the government has accepted our evidence and this has resulted in a realistic and achievable target that will help to motivate pig farmers to continue saving energy and money,” said Lizzie Press, regions manager of the NPA.

British Pig Executive leader honored

Mick Sloyan, recipient of the Pig Industry Distinguished Service Award.

The head of the British Pig Executive (BPEX), Mick Sloyan, has been presented with a surprise award – the Pig Industry Distinguished Service Award – for his dedicated service to the pig industry.
Presenting the award, the country’s National Pig Association (NPA) chairman, Stewart Houston, said: "The NPA has been keen to acknowledge the huge contribution Mr Sloyan has made to the industry for some time, but he has always heard about it and managed to duck away from it.
“This time he can't! The Pig Industry Distinguished Service Award is a one-off that has been organised entirely without his knowledge and there's nothing he can do about it.”
Mr Houston added: "Mr Sloyan’s position at the head of BPEX has highlighted his strategic thinking helping guide the industry through difficult times; the concept of the first pig strategy, the Road to Recovery, was his and he must take his share of the credit that the industry came through those dark days of the last decade. And he is still here helping to shape the future.”