A NATIONAL training programme is to be introduced for the pig industry.

It will help producers and their staff to improve productivity, animal welfare and overall professionalism.

A group is to be appointed to introduce the industry's new Professional Development Programme. It will be chaired by East Yorkshire pig producer Richard Longthorp, who believes the sector cannot progress until it offers its workforce good training and a career structure.

"This new programme will achieve both these aims," he said.

The initiative, which has the support of the Government and all major pig industry bodies, has been initiated by producers themselves and is geared to meet the real needs of the modern industry.

Training will take place at the most convenient location, and will allow all staff - from the newest recruits to experienced unit managers - to gain certificates of competence in subjects ranging from animal welfare to the selection of stock for breeding.

The impetus for the programme has come from Agskills, a producer-run training body of which Mr Longthorp is a founder-member. It manages the training of staff on some of England's biggest and most professionally-run pig farms.

The British Pig Executive has provided the funding for Gerry Brent, Agskills' training officer, to be seconded to the National Pig Association to draw up the new development programme with the National Proficiency Tests Council.

With help from Defra, Lantra and others, it will be introduced as the national Pig Industry Professional Development Programme.

"When we consulted likely stakeholders, every one of the producers and technicians who responded said they supported the proposals," said Mr Brent.

Stewart Houston, NPA chairman, was delighted Mr Longthorp had accepted the chairman's role. "He is a good communicator, he is highly respected in the industry, and his style is to lead by example, which is always best," he said.

"I am grateful to him and also to Defra, the British Pig Executive, the National Proficiency Tests Council, Lantra, and of course Agskills, for helping us take this crucial programme forward."

BPEX has funded the development of the programme as part of its Road to Recovery strategy, designed to improve the international competitiveness of British pig producers.

"Helping producers and their staff through practical continuous professional development delivered on-farm can improve the competitiveness of the national pig industry, which is at the very core of the Road to Recovery strategy," said Mick Sloyan, BPEX chief executive.

Defra's participation in the creation of a pig industry professional development programme is acknowledged by the industry as a significant contribution.

Duncan Prior, head of industrial policy for the pig industry at Defra, who chaired some of the industry's exploratory meetings with Lantra, said a number of people could see the need for a formal structure to help people in the industry keep up to date with latest practice and innovation.

A consultation document on the creation of a Pig Industry Professional Development Programme will be launched under Sir Don Curry's Fresh Start Initiative at the Royal Show on July 4.