Meeting Our Pork Producers Fundraising Update ..……………………15 ASF - Not to be Ignored…………………16 OSBPG 2022 Awards ……………………19

Valuing OSB Pork - doing what we do best

Meating our Pork Producers

Lucy Middleton of Paradise Produce, first came across Oxford Sandy and Black pigs at the Great Yorkshire Show a number of years ago.

I remember thinking to myself that I would get some of them one day. At the time, I was a full time Veterinary Surgeon and Dairy Farmer. After having two children and deciding to stay at home to work, with dreams of a farm shop, I managed to purchase four Oxford Sandy and Black pigs. Two pedigree gilts and two boars to fatten for ourselves and family.

Having tasted the pork, I vowed never to buy pork again and went on to breed our two Clare gilts with Mrs Cook's Alistair boar. From then on I have never looked back! I now have ten breeding sows and two boars and rear all the weaners on to produce pork products that I sell in my little farm shop in East Yorkshire. I began in the boot room of our house for a couple of years and then refurbished a farm outbuilding into a preparation room and a shop. I also sell our home reared, Belted Galloway beef and grass-fed lamb.

I have a wonderful retired butcher who comes to the farm one or two days a week to butcher the pigs after I have collected them from a small, family run abattoir about 26 miles from us. I then cut, pack and process the pork into joints, steaks, chops, sausages, burgers, meatballs and more. I find people who don't especially like pork very much change their mind when they have tasted Oxford Sandy and Black pork, especially the chops.

The sausages are a best seller throughout the year, my Grandma's recipe being particularly popular having only pork mince, salt and pepper, sage and a pinch of nutmeg.

I keep the sows and boars in paddocks throughout the summer and bring them into loose boxes for the winter. The weaners are reared outdoors in large arcs with hurdles to make pens. I don't seem to have much luck with electric fencing! They escape too often!

What is not to love about Oxford Sandy and Black pigs? They are delightful to work with and such characters, beautiful to look at and scrumptious to eat!

Qualified competent attendants

Mike and Jayne Carter, long time supporters of the OSBPG Charity, are happy to lend a hand for those seeking transportation services for the movement of pigs.

● Mike and Jayne have a 750kg trailer and are both qualified competent attendants and have breakdown cover for both trailer and vehicle which includes recovering of trailers including livestock. ● In addition, Mike is also a HGV driver (retired from the Army and use to driving heavy vehicles) and travels extensively up and down the country.

The logistics would be as follows:

● movement starts from Mike and Jayne (Wigan) to point of collection to point of delivery and return back to Wigan.

Trailer details is as follows:

● Small trailer max 750kg = 1 large pig male/female, or two 6 month old pigs, or 6/8 weaners. This trailer can be partitioned into 2 sections to carry one of either sex of medium size pig and weaners. ● Small trailer cost would be 80p per mile + VAT billed to purchaser. And if you qualify for the GSA you may also use it in connection with the movement.

Requirements

● It would be advantageous to have an idea of weight of each animal being transported in the event of multiple pigs being moved.. ● Loading and unloading would be the responsibility of the vendor/purchaser. In addition to the above we have copies of Mike and Jayne hauliers licence and their driver/attendants certificates for movement of livestock Category 1 up to 8hrs.

If you would like to find out more or book Mike and Jayne, please visit our website here

OSBPG Fundraising Update A Big Thank You

As the Charity marks its 2nd birthday, we received our Q2 2022 Amazon Smile payment. This quarter, thanks to your continued support, We received £50.14, taking the total raised to £460.90. In addition, we received £100 from Facebook fundraising bringing that total to £1,593.44.

As a result of your continued support of the charity through these programs, we were able to cross the £2,000 milestone, to £2,054.34, which is amazing and a great celebration of our 2nd anniversary.

The monies raised via these streams, go directly to support the charity through our work with; Genetic Spread Allowance, Breeding Initiative, Fostering Support, Reducing our carbon footprint with Zoom Hosted Events, Podcasts, free materials in our shop and more.

On behalf of the Charity and its trustees, we would like to say a big thank you, as we know the cost of living is having a significant impact on everyone, so reaching this milestone at this time is very humbling.

Map of the world displaying the presence of ASF by Administrative divisions (2020 – 04/08/2022) World Organisation for Animal Health (WAHIS) between 22 July and 04 August 2022.

African Swine Fever(ASF) - not to be ignored

In total, since January 2020 ASF has been reported as present in five different world regions in 39 countries, affecting more than 1,124,000 pigs and more than 36,000 wild boars (data reported through INs and FURs), with more than 1,860,000 animal losses.

As an Independent producer, breeder and keeper of our fine and versatile Oxford Sandy and Black Pig, you will not be a stranger to the word "biosecurity" and the purpose to which we must exercise good biosecurity on our farms and holdings. We are mindful of it everyday and it is down to good biosecurity that keeps our pigs safe and keeps diseases at bay such as PRRS, Swine Dysentery, Swine Influenza and others. The impact on keeping our farms/holdings safe, our pigs healthy and our pork production on going is paramount, not only to us as producers providing a service to our niche markets, but also to the survival of our breed.

The threat of African Swine Fever is ever closer as with the latest reported case near the French border in Germany. Which means that ASF is a short ferry crossing or short flight away from the UK the consequences will be devastating both to our herd and our British pork industry.

What is ASF

ASF is a highly contagious disease it infects both domestic and wild pigs with the outcome being up to 100% fatality. It is severe. Symptoms are lack of energy, lack of appetite, internal bleeding, bleeding under the skin of ears and flanks and then death. It has been reported that some pigs have shown no clinical signs before death occurs.

African swine fever is caused by the African swine fever virus, a large double-stranded DNA virus from the Asfarviridae.

As you may imagine, ASF is a notifiable disease which means there is a legal requirement to report cases of the disease to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301.

Dr C.A.L Oura

The Progression of ASF

ASF came out from East Africa in and around 1900s. Since then it has flowed steadily through south of the Sahara and invaded 32 countries since 2005. The disease has spread out of Africa twice.

The first outbreak was in Portugal in May 1957. The cause given was contaminated food waste fed to pigs from an African airline flight and/or ships at ports. The second reported outbreak was in Georgia 2007, where it has continued to spread and invaded the Russian Federation and Eastern Europe. Today the disease is now reported in more than 15 European countries.

China, the world’s largest pig producer reported their first case of ASF in August 2018 it has spread like wildfire going through China and conquering 16 Asian and 2 Oceanic countries. Then after 40 years of being clear from ASF, 2021 saw the disease returning to the Americas in the Dominican Republic and then moving on to Haiti. Now in 2022, we see ASF introducing itself to Italy and Germany, with new confirmed locations in Nepal and Kerala in India. In addition 4 countries have reported the first occurrence of ASF and 4 countries have reported the first occurrence in a new location.

How does ASF spread

Highly contagious, ASF holds no prisoners and is not fussy. Spreading to healthy pigs and wild boar in the following ways

● Contact with infected pigs ● eating of meat or infected products ● contact with anything contaminated with the virus IE shoes or clothes ● movement of infected animals ● contaminated pork products ● illegal disposal of carcasses

What can we do

It is called BIOSECURITY. Putting strict measures in place on your farm/holding is paramount. This includes obtaining good disinfectant and foot dips. The use of protective clothing is another measure, especially if visiting other farms where you will be visiting pigs. Ensuring your footwear is clean and scrubbed when arriving on a farm and leaving. Remember to ask your visitors to do the same, especially if they have visited a previous farm before yours. You may have spare wellington boots that they may use or offer disposable over shoes.

Having a quarantine area will be beneficial for the purpose of housing new stock coming onto your farm/holding.

For these signs and more visit HERE and order for free from AHDB Pork

Keeping ASF out

ASF is not in the UK, and to keep it that way we must be vigilant and protect our country and pigs.

● we must not bring back pork products when on holiday. ● avoid contact with pigs in countries that have ASF. ● do not feed pigs kitchen waste ● if travelling to shoot wild boar ensure your shoes and clothing are removed cleaned and that you are cleansed ● on your return journey ensure your vehicle is cleansed before arriving home

We are very fortunate in that African swine fever is not in the UK. It continues to spread from Eastern Europe westwards and is infecting wild boar and pockets of domestic pigs. It continues to roam around Europe covering many miles and it is believed that a contributing factor is due to us humans.

Summary of the ASF situation by world region (2020- April 2022)

In total, since January 2020 ASF has been reported at present in five different world regions in 35 countries, affecting more than 1,110,000 pigs and more than 34,000 wild boars (data reported through INs and FURs), with more than 1,840,000 animal losses.

List of Countries Affected by ASF (source: World Organisation for Animal Health)

● Africa: Outbreaks: Domestic Pigs - 173 Domestic Pig. Cases Reported: 13,643 Losses: 20,984 ● Americas: Outbreaks: Domestic Pigs - 255 Domestic Pig. Cases Reported: 9,567 Losses: 17,766 ● Asia: Outbreaks: Domestic Pigs - 1,164 Wild boar - 2,083. Cases: Domestic pigs - 92,767 Wild boar - 2,693 Losses: 428,142 ● Europe: Outbreaks: Domestic pigs - 3501 wild boar - 18978 Cases: Domestic Pigs - 997,699 Wild boar - 31942 Losses: 1375869 ● Oceania: Outbreaks: Domestic pigs - 4 Cases: Domestic pig 500 Losses: 397

Total outbreaks:

● 5097 in Domestic pigs. ● 21061 Wild boar ● Of those cases - Domestic pig 1,114,176 ● Of those cases - Wild boar 34,635

Total losses 1,843,158

Losses are: deaths + animals killed and disposed of: this figure refers to losses in the establishments affected by the outbreaks and it does not include the animals culled in areas around the outbreak for controlling the disease.

Sign up to the APHA UK Breeds at risk List

During an outbreak of exotic notifiable animal disease, it may be necessary to cull animals to control disease spread. Our breed, as well as others are on the APHA UK breeds at risk list which may be spared from the cull to preserve their genetic resource. To ensure you are on the "Owners of breeds at risk" register, please click the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) link below. The form is to be returned to APHA once filled in. This is a way to save our bloodlines, preserve our breed and keep the success of our bloodlines. Sign up HERE. Please note the first column is your DEFRA Herd Mark followed by the second column for insertion, Oxford Sandy and Black Pig Foundation Charity Biosecurity is still the most important and effective measure available to prevent and control ASF. We all have to play apart in keeping African Swine Fever out of the UK.

A government press release was issued on the 31 August to…Strict new controls on

pork and pork products to protect Britain’s pig sector against African swine fever The new control will strengthen the requirements for bringing pork and pork products into Great Britain from the

European Union and EFTA states. Read more Here

After the overwhelming support of last year we are now opening the doors again for our 2nd year . A chance to nominate our independent producers, breeders and keepers of the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig Foundation Charity. Closing date for nominations is 30 November 2022

The Awards are:

● OSBPG Pig

Excellence ● OSBPG Pork

Producer

Showing recognition and appreciation is an uplifting form of gratitude and it is indicative of the importance we all hold dear. Lets celebrate these individuals and let them know they have been noticed.

OSBPG 2021 Awards went to Kathryn and Martin Smith for Pig Excellence. Kieran and Catherine Roseblade for Pork Producer. Winners were awarded GBP200.00, OSBPG Plaque, Richard Bramble plates and OSBPG fleece. Email your nomination to: Awards@osbpg.org

2022 OSBPG AWARDS

It’s time to vote

It is our importance we give to natural behaviour, welfare of our pigs, how we value what we do and how we harness the appreciation of OSB pork and its versatility.

This BFPQ 2022 was back for its 3rd successful year and didn't fail to meet expectations. It was great night, lots of humour, some taxing questions, high tension auctions, drinks & nibbles. Which all ended in a 3 way tie breaker.

The tie breaker was between

● Team Cooke (Johnny & Laura Cooke) ● Team Ryecroft (Mike and Jayne Carter) ● The Green-Smith (Kathryn and Martin)

With pens and paper at the ready, they all wrote there answer to the tie breaker. “Without going over, how many passengers could the titanic carry?” The answer was 3,327, and the winners of the £100 cash were.

A big THANK YOU has to go to all those who donated items for our auction. Lisa Twyman, Sallie Wakely, Dutchy Charcuterie, B&Q, Christopher Moss, Ed & Anita Withers, Muck Boots, Ridgeline Torrent, Fiona Doig, Robin Mackay and those who wish to remain anonymous. The night would not have been such a success without their and our supporters kind generosity which raised £1,096 for the charity.

Martin and Kathryn