These are in line with the BPEX board strategy which stresses the importance of improving herd health and pork quality.

Jenny Newman is the database manager, replacing a similar position within BPEX while Emma Bailey-Beech is pork safety manager.
There are three other new appointments, all on fixed term contracts. Louise Wall and Patrick McDonnell are both regional health co-ordinators working with the Pig health Improvement Project. Louise is covering the North of England while Patrick looks after the East.

Samantha Bowsher is a graduate trainee working with the Knowledge Transfer team and as skills manager.

Andrew Knowles, BPEX Head of Communications said: “It’s important to stress that the overall number of staff within BPEX is not increasing.

“The majority of these posts are fixed-term contracts dealing with improving pig health – something which is even more important in these difficult times.”

BPEX is the organisation for pig levy payers in England and is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).