NPA producer and allied members can now put themselves forward for election to the association’s Pig Industry Group as the window for nominations opened this week.
These elections mark a new chapter for the NPA, following the successful amalgamation of the NPA’s Producer and Allied Industry Groups to form the PIG last year. Under a brand new format, NPA members will vote to elect 10 producer members and seven allied industry members onto the PIG in January and February.
“This is a chance to shape your own industry, rather than just sit there and let it happen,” NPA chairman Richard Lister said. “It is very important that we get the right people representing our fellow producers – people who feel passionate about the industry and want to make a difference.”
To nominate, NPA members will need to download a form from the Members’ Area of the the association’s website. The nomination must be proposed and seconded by two current NPA members and a manifesto will also need to be submitted.
Full details can be found on the new dedicated election section of the NPA website.
The format has changed for the 2021 elections, following the successful introduction of the PIG last year to reduce duplication and concentrate knowledge and expertise.
- 10 producers producers will be elected, five on a geographical basis with one guaranteed seat per region (North, East, Midlands, South Central and South West). The remaining five seats will be ‘free’, determined by the number of votes cast.
- Six allied industry representatives will be elected on a sectoral basis, with one each from the following sectors: nutrition, pharmaceutical, veterinary, marketing groups, manufacturing and processing. The remaining seat will be ‘free’, awarded to remaining person with the highest number of votes.
- Producers will still only be able to vote for producers and allied members for allied candidates.
- One space has been set aside as a co-opted seat to ensure that there is the flexibility to plug any gaps in representation.
- The Young NPA chair will also be given a permanent seat the for the first time.
The PIG will meet four times a year and some meetings may be held remotely, depending on the situation with COVID-19.
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: “We are really looking forward to strong field of candidates coming forward for the first ever PIG elections.”
Election timetable
- Monday, October 5, 2020: Nominations open.
- January 11, 2021: Nominations close. Candidates announced in February Pig World.
- January 25: Online voting opens
- February 8: Postal ballots sent to those members who have not already voted on line.
- February 26: Voting closes.
- March 2021 – Successful candidates announced in Pig World.