BPEX is already running two pig health improvement schemes, in Yorkshire and Humberside and the East of England, with support from the regional development agencies (RDAs) in those areas.

Now all the regional agencies in England have agreed to work together on a national approach to disease mitigation, following the great effort from the pig industry so far.

Work now begins in earnest for BPEX to submit a proposal for a co-ordinated national health improvement project, building on the current Yorkshire and Humberside Health and Eastern Pig Health projects.

The Eastern Pig Health scheme is on target to get more than 80% of the region’s sow herd signed up this month and it is anticipated a third initiative will start soon, in the East Midlands.