Tom Allen and Phil Stephenson have become the two most recent people to put their names forward for election to the Pig Industry Group (PIG).
Allen is the fourth producer candidate to enter the contest for election to PIG – a National Pig Association (NPA) group.
Allen is part of a family farming business based in Dorset and Oxfordshire with pig units in both counties, is currently a member of PIG and has previously served on the NPA’s producer group for a number of years.
In his manifesto, Allen said: “Much like the whole industry, the last few years have hit us extremely hard, and we have had to undergo a considerable restructure.
“We can’t allow the industry to face this again and the NPA is integral in helping lobby for improvements in contractual practice.”
Phil Stephenson
The NPA said Stephenson, who also put himself forward as a producer candidate, is one of its best known figures.
Allen and Stephenson are the fifth and sixth candidates overall to put their name forward, after Joe Dewhirst and Pilgrim’s UK’s Helen Webb, and, contesting the allied industry vote, Garth Pig Practice’s Gemma Thwaites and A-One’s Peter Bryant.
Stephenson farms in Yorkshire and is currently vice-chair of the NPA, having previously chaired the PIG and producer group for a number of years.
In his manifesto, he said: “Still getting my hands dirty on a daily basis enables me to voice a grassroots opinion to help advise Lizzie and the rest of our fantastic NPA team.
“There are many challenges our industry has to confront, and they will not stop coming.
“If selected I will continue to give that full support for the good of all sections of our industry.”
Pig Industry Group
The deadline for nominations to the PIG is January 8, 2024. The NPA is seeking candidates for eight producer and four allied member seats.
Producers will be elected on the basis of the most votes received, rather than on a regional basis.
The NPA said efforts will be made to ensure a balance between indoor and outdoor production and independent and corporate producers.
