We would like to invite you to participate in an online Vaccine Availability Pig Sector workshop, with representatives from vaccine prescribers and users (farmers, vets and SQPs) in the pig sector.

This workshop will take place on Monday the 20th of July at 13:00-16:30. Please respond to the poll below to confirm your attendance.

A calendar invitation and teams link will be sent out to confirmed attendees.

The purpose of the workshop is to support joint discussion on sector specific vaccine challenges, including:

• Prioritising vaccines for further proactive intervention.
• Identifying and prioritising therapeutic gaps, where no suitable vaccine is currently authorised in the UK.

To note:

• The meeting link, pre-reading materials and the agenda will be circulated to all confirmed participants a week prior to the workshop.
• The workshop will run for a maximum of three and a half hours and will include a 15-minute break.
• We suggest you access the meeting using a laptop to ensure full participation in the breakout rooms and interactive elements.

Background:

The Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) published a Statement of Intent: UK Veterinary Vaccine Availability - GOV.UK in September 2025. This Statement of Intent outlines a strategic framework to address veterinary vaccine availability, to be delivered through a development of a multisector, multistakeholder Action Plan.  This workshop forms part of a series of sector specific workshops to convene stakeholders to inform action plan development.  

 Poll: Are you able to attend the Vaccine Availability Pig Sector Workshop?

We look forward to a productive and informative discussion.

National Pig Awards Pedigree Pig Farmer of the Year

We’re doing the Pedigree Sector awards a little differently this year. We’re combining last year’s categories into an overall winner award based on the combined criteria of the previous awards.

The award is for registered BPA pedigree breeders, and the judges will be looking for their significant contribution to pedigree pig meat marketing, demonstrating the importance of sustainable use to long term conservation, breed conservation including safeguarding genetic diversity, and broader work undertaken for the benefit of the sector as a whole, including the Eat It To Save it message.

The Award will also be given a further prestigious uplift by being judged by the main panel along with all of the commercial categories.

You can enter here:  National Pig Awards 2026 - Pedigree Breeder of the Year

Or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information and support with entries. 

We’re looking forward to lots of entries. The deadline for entries is the 26^th of June, so you will have to get cracking!

Stewart Houston

BPA Vice Chairman and Chair of the National Pig Awards Judging Panel

The British Pig Association is the DEFRA approved breed society for the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig (and 13 other breeds).

Only OSB pigs in the BPA herd book are classed as pedigree.  There is no other herd book for the breed.  Pigs recorded elsewhere do not count towards breed numbers and do not assist in conservation of the breed.

There appears to be some misconception that OSB pigs that are not in the BPA herd book can simply be added in.

This is NOT the case.

There are circumstances where it may be possible but this is on a case by case basis and subject to strict criteria regarding traceability to protect the integrity of the herd book.

If you are buying OSB for breeding please do check that they are in the BPA herd book.
BPA breed reps are Dave Aldous and Jane Mathews and will be happy to assist with enquiries.

The British Pig Association strives to be an inclusive organisation, which treats all its members fairly. At the heart of what we do is our love of our Pedigree Pigs and the commitment to protect their heritage and help conserve them for future generations.

Sadly, there has been an increasing number of incidents of unacceptable behaviour reported to the Board, contrary to our policies and standards, over the last 18 months.
Unfortunately, the poor behaviour of the few can spoil the enjoyment and dedication of the many. Your Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for its Members and will not tolerate or condone unacceptable behaviour, regardless of who is responsible. We expect all appointed and elected representatives of the BPA to set an exemplary example, that others can follow.

As such, the Board has carefully investigated a number of matters referred to it, together with supporting evidence and has concluded that disciplinary action must be taken.

It is not the Board’s intention to make public the specific incidents or the individual members involved. We respect their right to privacy. However, social media will often take on its own ‘life form’ with ill informed speculation and gossip. The Board will not participate or contribute to this in any way.

The Board is shortly to announce a number of positive development initiatives to sponsor projects aimed at encouraging younger members to get involved with our conservation and pork production aims and opportunities. Hopefully, this will help draw a line under the negativity so that members can focus on an inclusive and enjoyable future.

BPA Board
17th April 2026

We are excited to announce the first BPA Pedigree Pork Taste Awards and hope you will celebrate your pedigree pork products by entering the competition.

Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates and plaques will be awarded to all entries reaching the appropriate level, with a trophy for the product judged best overall.

Judging of the BPA Taste Awards will take place on 10th May 2026.  

The classes are: Raw product, Cooked product, Charcuterie product and Junior product (made by a junior member under the age of 18).

Completed entry forms should be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. together either with a BACS payment of entry fees or a request for an invoice which will be sent with a payment link.

Packaging materials and instructions will be sent to entrants after the closing date of 21st April.

Taste Awards Entry Form

It is with great sadness we have heard of the passing of Peter Brier who owned the Mossbrook herd of Pedigree Landrace Pigs and was also a past Deputy Chairman of the British Pig Association.

Following the call for breed reps the Berkshire breed is in the fortunate position to have 3 applicants. This means we will need to have an election, the three applicants information is below.

The vote will be open until 15th Ocotober and the results will be announced shortly after along with the rest of the breed reps. Please follow the link to vote.

Chris Hudson

Most BPA members and breeders are familiar with my passion for pigs, and the conservation of British rare breeds and individual blood lines, which is complimented by my knowledge and enthusiasm.

I am a familiar face on the show circuit, taking time to chat with breeders and promote Berkshire pigs, to potential new breeders and members of the general public.

Having not kept pigs for a number of years, in 2007  the opportunity arose to move back into pigs as a hobby, rather than a business. Starting with the Berkshire, which remains my main focus, I now have British Landrace, and with my Granddaughter we have Large White which is part of the Junior Pig Club conservation programme.

My passion for the promotion, conservation, and development of the Berkshire breed, has developed into what could be called an obsession. Interaction with fellow Berkshire breeders and encouraging those new to keeping Berkshire is a key element for me, as this helps to increase overall Berkshire numbers, identify bloodlines which may be at risk and increase the number of Berkshire breeders. This is enhanced by being the chair of the Berkshire Pig Breeders Club.

I feel that links and interaction between Berkshires breeders, the breed representatives, and the BPA, are  vital to the continuing success of the Berkshire breed, in developing the skills and knowledge of breeders, and the promotion of Berkshire pork. In my role as breed rep I have encouraged, guided, and supported new breeders, answering any questions they may have, signposting them to additional information and breeders in their area who may be able to offer support.

Since being elected chair of the Berkshire pig Breeders Club, the club has moved forward and introduced new initiatives, this includes increased communication with members, information sharing and involving all member in club/breed initiatives. The club has recently begun work on the Berkshire Nucleus Herd, with two litters on the ground, this is in the preliminary stages, with much work still to be done. Being breed representative for the Berkshire breed will allow me (with the club), to reach out to more breeders, and hopefully they will engage with the project.

Having access to Grassroots and kinship allows me to analyse the breed survey results, birth notification and registrations, helping to identify which bloodlines need support both nationally and locally. This will help to ensure bloodlines are also distributed around the country, to ensure bloodlines are not lost, if there is an outbreak of disease.

This links closely with the club work on the nucleus herd.

The breed representative is the key link between breeders and the BPA, they should be visible, approachable, supportive and have the Berkshire breed and breeders at the centre of all they do.

As the Berkshire breed representative, I will continue to seek the views and ideas of breeders, feeding this information back to the BPA during meetings, however this is a two-way street, and I will ensure that information from the BPA is shared with breeders.

I am currently on: - The BPA show & conservation committees

                             - Committee of Staffordshire Winter Fair

                             - BPA Show representative at Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire County shows

Chris Impey

 My Name is Chris Impey and I keep a herd of Berkshire pigs in Tonyrefail in South Wales.I have been keeping, breeding, exporting and showing Berkshires for the last 35 years. My own herd the Fairoaks Herd has existed in my own name for the last 26 years.

During my time I have worked hard and diligently to preserve and promote the Berkshire Breed. I have travelled all over the country showing my pigs and helping new and experienced breeders. I Am an experienced all breeds judge and have previously served on the British Pig Association Board, on the conservation committee and am currently serving on the show Committee. I have previously been BPA chairman and have represented the organisation at many forums throughout the country.

I am passionate about looking after new breeders and am always available to mentor and support them through their own journeys to becoming experienced breeders themselves. I have breeders established in European countries with herds of Berkshire pigs of their own having exported pigs and delivered pigs to them. I have also exported pigs across the world demonstrating my commitment to spread and preserve the breed for generations to come.

My own personal passion is to promote the traditional type and characteristics of the Berkshire Breed, I am a strong advocate for preserving the type in the national herd whilst always promoting performance and growth to ensure the pigs are saleable and preserve their most valuable asset being the quality of the meet.

During my time as a breed representative I have sought to represent the views of the Berkshire breeders in all the meetings I have been into. I do not put my own interests ahead of others and am known for my fairness and integrity. I listen to people and negotiate and support when necessary. I speak out when required and I will continue to do so for the benefit of the breed and its breeders.

Due to my employment within the civil service I have many transferrable skills that are of use to the role of the Breed Rep role and the wider organisation.

I have been instrumental in maintaining a social media presence for the Berkshire Pig Breeders club and served on its committee for many, many years.

I seek to represent the Berkshire breed in all avenues and opportunities I find myself in.

I am committed to the Berkshire breed and I feel I can represent it effectively as I have already done previously.

Daniel Perkin

 I’m applying for the role of Berkshire Breed Representative because I care deeply about this wonderful breed and the people who work with it. Although I’m still fairly new to pig breeding, Berkshires have become a big part of my life, and I feel I can bring both enthusiasm and a clear vision for the future. I’m committed to breeding, promoting, and protecting the long-term health of the Berkshire and to making sure it continues to have a strong and sustainable future.

My journey with Berkshires has moved quickly, but with real purpose. From the start, I’ve been struck by the breed’s heritage, character, and potential, and I’ve put my energy into learning as much as I can while building up my herd. In 2025, I was proud to be named a finalist in the New Pedigree Pig Breeder of the Year Award. That recognition was encouraging, but more importantly it gave me the chance to see how many different directions breeders are coming from—whether that’s conservation, meat production, showing, or simply running a sustainable smallholding. I believe my strength lies in understanding these different perspectives and in representing everyone fairly, so that all Berkshire breeders feel included and supported.

One of the things I care about most is genetic diversity. A wide genetic base is the key to keeping Berkshires fertile, hardy, and true to type. Without it, we run the risk of narrowing bloodlines and losing the qualities that make the breed so special. Genetic spread also matters hugely if we ever face a local or national disease outbreak—having bloodlines that are well distributed across different herds means we’re far less likely to lose whole lines or weaken the breed as a whole. Protecting that diversity is about safeguarding the Berkshire for the long term, not just for today.

I believe the best way to do this is by working together. No single breeder can carry the breed on their own, but by sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and making thoughtful breeding choices, we can all play our part. As a representative, I would encourage breeders to look at underused lines, think about the bigger picture, and feel confident in reaching out for advice or collaboration. I’d also work to create a stronger sense of community, where ideas are shared openly and everyone—whether just starting out or with years of experience—feels that their voice matters.

I have the time, energy, and determination to do this role well. If elected, I’d be proud to represent Berkshire breeders of all kinds, and to play my part in ensuring the breed continues to thrive—stronger, more diverse, and more valued for the future.

Thank you for considering my application.

Congratulations to our points trophy winners this year.

Oliver Giles won the Large White Perpetual Cup with Tedfold Viking 1

Emily Paddock  won The Hooknorton Points Cup with Lewin Glamours 9

Grace Bretherton won the Landrace Points Cup with Hedgerow Dormus 180

The British Pig Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 30th September 2025 at 11am. The meeting will be held at Farmers Club, Whitehall Court, London, SW1A 2EL

The election for Breed Representatives is now open. Breed Reps are elected specifically to serve their breeds. 

We know we have exceptional members who are helping to conserve pedigree pigs in the UK. We also know that for pedigree pigs to survive we have to have new members joining the Association and that those members need to build successful pork businesses and in take part in conservation breeding programmes.

That is why our awards programme in divided into three classes. The winners of each class will be invited to the National Pig Awards in November where one of them will be crowned Pedigree Breeder of the Year.

All those shortlisted as finalists will be featured in Practical Pigs. You can see details of some of the last years finalists from the link below

BPA North Region Members - Save the Date - 28th August 2025.

What would happen in the event of a confirmed outbreak of ASF on your farm, or if your farm was within a restricted zone established as a result of a disease outbreak nearby?

The BPA and AHDB are holding a workshop at Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart on 28th August looking at these issues.

The workshop will also cover:

• Breeds at risk - how this works
• How you would protect your stock
• What are the risks based on your specific farm premises
• Contingency Planning

This is the second workshop of this type - a previous workshop having been held at the AHDB offices in Coventry in February.

If you are interested in attending the workshop please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Use it or Lose it

The Sustainable Pork Production Committee is putting together a BPA Pedigree Pork Recipe Book to celebrate all 14 breeds, promote conservation, and showcase the incredible pork our members produce. This book will be available to both members and the public.

Alongside delicious snout-to-tail recipes, we’ll feature member stories – how you got into pigs, why you love your breed, and details of your setup. These personal stories make a huge impact when promoting our work to the wider public. They help us tell a powerful story about welfare, sustainability, and the care that goes into pedigree pork production.

We need your contribution! Whether it’s a cherished recipe, a quirky family favourite, or a tale of how you first fell for pigs, it all adds flavour to the project.

Your submission should include:

• How you got into pig keeping
• Why you chose or love your breed of pig
• A favourite recipe (any cut, any style!)
• A photo of you and your pigs

Don’t worry about writing a masterpiece – just share your story in your own words. It’s better to include more than less; we’ll edit everything for consistency and readability. There is an example here here attached for guidance but if you need help, or have any questions, just ask!

This book will also explain how pedigree breeding and pork consumption support breed conservation – an essential message for reaching new supporters and customers.

We really hope you’ll take part and help us make this a fantastic showcase of our pigs, our people, and our pork.

Please send your contribution to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sarah Howes has agreed to take on the role Pedigree Secretary for the British Pig Association from 1^st May 2025.

Sarah joined the BPA in 2019 to work on our website development and for more than 10 years she had her own herd of Middle White pigs.

Since 2023, when Diane Stanford was unable to continue working due to ill health, Grassroots have been providing a bureau service for our pedigree recording. Sarah will now oversee this work and report to the Conservation Committee on the management of our pedigree herdbooks.

The Board of Trustees has been working hard to restructure the Association so that the core services of pedigree recording and Herd Book maintenance can be sustained by income from membership and pedigree recording fees.

Our committees are now autonomous and manage their own meetings and programmes and they are expected to undertake fundraising like any other charity in order to support specific projects. The finances and overall management of the Association will be the responsibility of the Board. As part of this devolution, Marcus Bates will be retiring from the Association at the end of May.

As has been the case since 2023 the first point of contact for members with pedigree queries will be our pedigree helpline 01223 845096 where Helen and other members of the Grassroots team will be available to help. Your Breed Reps are of course an important source of help and advice. Sarah will be working with our Breed Reps to resolve any queries that cannot be handled by the team at Grassroots. Contact details for Sarah can be found on the BPA website.

Brian Kelly BPA Chairman said, “I am very pleased that Sarah has agreed to take on this new role. She already has vast experience of our pedigree recording system and pedigree breeding in general and she will provide excellent continuity as we move forward into a new era for the Association

Sarah Howes said, “I look forward to continue working with members and providing support and guidance where needed.”

The Board of Trustees would like to take this opportunity to thank Marcus for his 26 years of Loyal service to the BPA and the Pig Industry.

The British Pig Association is a member of the Small Abattoir Working Group which meets with Defra to address the threats to our independent small abattoirs. The next meeting is on 24^th March

Please can you take a few minutes to complete this survey so that we have the strongest possible evidence base to support our discussions with government.

SFT, along with Soil Association, Rare Breeds Survival Trust and others, have just launched a survey aimed at livestock producers across the UK to find out more about the importance of an abattoir for their business, as well as the challenges they face in accessing abattoir services.

The information gathered through this survey will help us build our case for supporting the smaller abattoir sector, particularly with regards to continuing the small abattoir discount on inspection charges, but will also be useful for wider comms and campaigning. It is essential we can back up our arguments with evidence and data and we hope to have responses from a wide range of farmers from across the UK

Please find the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/abattoirs   

The deadline for responding is Friday 21st March.

You can find a press release here: https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/press-releases/farmers-needed-to-save-small-abattoirs-farming-groups-launch-survey-to-make-case-to-government/

The BPA Pedigree Services Helpline will be closed from on 23^rd and 24^th December and also on the 27^th, 30^th and 31^st December.

You can continue to process your birth notes, registrations, transfer and other any other activity on-line. The website will be updated on 2^nd January.

On behalf of everyone at the British Pig Association we would like to wish all our members and pedigree pig breeders a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This year's survey has been launched. Please log into pedigree services and confirm what pigs you still have in your herd. It is vital that we complete the survey to ensure we can identify breeds and bloodlines at risk. This data also goes through to DEFRA for the Breeds At Risk Register and therefore it is vital this information is accurate.

British Livestock will be present at Eurotier

EuroTier 2024 (Nov 12-15, Hanover) is a must for UK livestock farmers, featuring 2,100+ exhibitors across genetics, housing, feeding, automation, and animal welfare. Highlights include the EuroTier Innovation Awards and DLG-Spotlights. Explore the latest innovations and trends in livestock farming across 13 halls. See www.eurotier.com

British Livestock stand is No 11F12 in Hall 11.

Work is progressing with development of Border Control Post at Hook of Holland which should enable us to resume exports of pig breeding stock in 2025.

We are very sad to announce the departure of Diane Stanford from the BPA by mutual consent after many years of loyal service. Diane is leaving due to health reasons and she wishes to focus on her recovery.  We thank her sincerely for her loyal service, hope that her recovery will be within a reasonable timescale and wish Diane all the very best.

Diane joined the Association in 2007 and has played a key role in helping members manage their pedigree records. She has always been a friendly voice on the end of the phone especially during the covid pandemic.

We know that many members will wish to send her personal messages and wish her good luck and a speedy recovery and also show their appreciation for all her help over the years.

Please follow this link if you would like to contribute to a leaving gift from the members for Diane or leave a message.

All the messages will be printed onto a card and we will present the card and gift to Diane in time for the next issue of Practical Pigs.