Dutch pig sector must improve image

The PIVV officially became a foundation at the beginning of May. The aim of this foundation is to promote innovation and work on the joint image and promotion of services and products that the supply industry provides to pig farming. This should ultimately ensure that the image of Dutch pig farming and the pork chain remains leading in the world.

The creation of the PIVV is partly due to the disappearance of pig experimental farm 'VIC Sterksel' (North Brabant). The joint business community had been involved in this pilot company since 2012 under the name 'Friends of Sterksel', where many thousands of national and international guests from the pig farming industry were received every year.

Contacts with WUR and POV
Now that VIC Sterksel is disappearing, the collaboration between the PIVV and Wageningen University (WUR) must be given substance again. "PIVV finds the collaboration important," reports Dick Kroot. He is chairman of PIVV and in daily life director of Bela Group: "We do not yet know exactly how WUR will shape the research, but we are happy to contribute ideas."

The foundation also participates in the 'Innovation Agenda' consultation of the Pig Farming Producers' Organization (POV). However, it puts most of its energy into its own initiatives to remain well-known internationally as a supply industry in the Dutch pig farming industry, especially because the international platform that Sterksel offered is no longer available. The competition from Germany and Denmark is not standing still.

Own initiatives
The Danish pork chain in particular has better organized its appearance at the international trade fairs, reports Kroot. "Somehow we have more difficulty in the Netherlands presenting ourselves as a unit. Individual members undertake their own activities, but the foundation guarantees independent representation of interests. The PIVV contributes to ensuring that there is we work together as a unit."

Kroot assumes that a 'roadshow' along the business community will be organized in the short term. "Perhaps there will also be a showroom, comparable to the Danish Pig Academy. I also do not rule out that we as PIVV will jointly start a demonstration company, comparable to the Feed Design Lab."

Cycle central
In the promotion of the Dutch pig sector and the activities of the supplying industry, the realization of circular agriculture and specifically the use of residual flows in pig farming will be central in the coming years. Piglet vitality and animal welfare are also high on the agenda.