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According to the latest study on the French pig sector by the General Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (CGAAER, by its French acronym), as of 2002 the sector has been lethargic with a constant output level, deteriorated foreign trade and a lack of competitiveness by slaughterhouses. By contrast, its main competitors at the European level have experienced, during the same period, sustainable development. Germany in particular, has increased production by 36% and tripled its exports (from 641,000 tons to 1,810,000 tons).
However, this situation may change, based on growth prospects of the markets, it seems realistic to expect an increase in pig production in France up to 27 million hogs a year by 2020 or 1.8 million more compared with 2010. This growth could create 4,300 jobs and strengthen competitiveness.The study makes a number of recommendations in order of priority:
High priority recommendations:
• Implement a sector development strategy, agreed on and approved by all stakeholders, in order to produce and sell 27 million pigs in 2015.
• Develop in the outlying areas of high density zones and in agreement with local authorities, new farms of sufficient size so that they can carry on with the use of "High Tech" technologies to control slurry.
• Organize, in areas of high pig density, mass production of organic fertilization or compost that can be used for cereal areas.
• Restore the public image of pig production.
• Reduce, through the companies’ initiative, the slaughter capacity in the region of Brittany in order to improve the competitiveness of this sector.
Wednesday May 9, 2012/ CGAAER/ Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Agroalimmentaire/ France.
http://agriculture.gouv.fr/
