A SERIES of one-day workshops is being held to help pig farmers unravel the complexities of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)

The workshops, run by the British Pig Executive (BPEX), are open to pig farmers, their staff and members of the allied trades.

An interactive training package has been developed by Pork Chain Solutions (PCS) to help understand IPPC and the steps involved in applying for a permit which will be needed by a number of pig farms from January 2007.

The course, successfully trialled in East Anglia, received very positive responses from participants and this created a demand for it to be offered to the rest of England.

Ten courses are to be run between June and November spread across the country, grant funding of 75%, has been obtained from Defra under the Vocational Training Scheme, emphasising how highly it values the course objectives.

Additional sponsorship is provided by BPEX, so the cost to producers is minimised. The charge is £40 per person for those from pig farms and £60 for others. Places are limited and demand is expected to be high.

The first two courses are at Myerscough College on June 29 and The Crown Boroughbridge on June 30. To register an interest or to find out more information please contact MLC Pig Technologist Nigel Penlington, MLC on 01908 844276 or email on nigel_penlington@mlc.org.uk

Nigel said: "Further initiatives are planned leading up to October next year when the application window opens, it must be stressed though this cannot be left to the last minute as information from a number of sources has to be collated, attendance at these courses will help clarify what is required and involved."