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The History of the BPA:
The Beginning of the Modern and Traditional Breed Split
The emphasis during the 1950s continued to be on the white pig with
the curers objecting to the problems that coloured breeds caused
when it came to removing pigment from the skin. At one stage the
NPBA made a vigorous protest at the proposal that coloured pigs
should be penalised to the extent of 6d a score against the whites.
The NPBA, however, did not adopt a sustained protective posture in
defence of the coloured breeds. The association, following its
principle of the improvement of the national pig herd, saw the
requirements of the commercial market as paramount. Market forces
were allowed to take their course; some would have preferred to see
a little more attention paid to the maintenance of the less favoured
breeds.
Modernisation and Reorganisation
The structure of the association was changed to form a more
efficient administrative unit in 1978, with a central council having
overall control of NPBA affairs and individual committees, rather
than societies, having responsibility for each breed.
Breeding Companies Join the Association
Diminishing numbers of pedigree pig breeders during the second half
of the twentieth century meant a gradual reduction in the number of
NPBA members; then in more recent times came the challenge of the
commercial pig breeding companies. The companies talked about hybrid
vigour, multi-crosses, synthetic pigs and made a determined sales
bid for the breeding stock business of commercial pig producers. The
1974/5 MLC Pig Improvement Scheme Year Book gives details of test
results from over 80 independent pedigree herds as well as listing
28 breeding companies carrying out their own testing programmes. The
NPBA sought to embrace this new force rather than fight it. A
liaison committee was formed leading to the launching of a breeding
companies group when the Association of Breeding Companies merged
with the NPBA in 1978. This merger of interests, it was reasoned,
allowed pedigree breeders to benefit from the advances of the
companies and gave the association a broader platform in its
dealings with government. |
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