WA Pork Producers' Association (WAPPA) president Dawson Bradford has highlighted the buoyant state of the industry in his report to the annual general meeting two weeks ago.
However he sounded a note of caution about how possible changes to the standards and guidelines, once its review is finalised, might affect promising growth opportunities for the WA pig industry.
Mr Bradford, Popanyinning, was re-elected to WAPPA's executive committee, along with fellow producer Graeme Dent, Cuballing.
Fellow committee members are Emalyn Loudon, Perth, Torben Soerensen, GD Pork, and Dean Romaniello, Craig Mostyn Group.
The meeting was part of a very successful industry day in Perth, which was attended by about 50 producers, industry stakeholders and WAPPA sponsors.
Speakers included Roger Campbell, Pork CRC, Andrew Spencer and Deb Kerr, APL, Andrew Daff, DAFWA, Kate Savage, Portec, Amanda Vardanega, MSD Animal Health, Meg Donahoo, Boehringer Ingelheim, Tony Heelan, Tony Heelan & Co Industrial Relations and Management, and Rob Wilson, Pork Innovation WA.
Addressing the industry day and in his report to the annual general meeting, Mr Bradford noted that WA's pig industry had been identified by the State government and DAFWA as having the potential to grow 10-fold, which could change the shape of the industry.
"However, for growth to happen, we must be globally competitive and with the changes touted for the standards and guidelines, this isn't going to happen," he said.
"While I am all for good welfare standards and those who don't comply should be shunned from the industry, I can't understand why anyone would want to go above their competitor's level.
"We don't want to make the minimum acceptable standards greater than that of our competitors, as this will not help us compete in Asian markets."
WA's pork industry saw good growth in pig numbers in 2015/16, which was the third successive year in which pig numbers increased by more than 10 per cent, the highest increase of any State.
It pushed annual numbers processed in WA to 660,000 head.
Mr Romaniello said increased sow numbers meant good growth should occur again this financial year.
"The demand behind this increase was mainly driven by the free range and sow stall free market, however export continues to remain sound and local demand positive on the back of high meat prices from competing proteins," Mr Romaniello said.
"WA producers have seen good pig prices, hopefully putting them in a good financial position, so the aim should be to reinvest back into the farms and continue to look into lowering cost of production, which will help ensure a viable and bright future for WA producers in the years ahead."
Ms Cooper said access to labour continued to be a risk to growth, however the organisation had successfully applied for labour agreements on behalf of GD Pork and Westpork.
"With runs on the board, WAPPA is now in a good position to help other producers interested in pursuing labour agreements, while we also continue to investigate other avenues for producers while ensuring the integrity of labour agreements," she said.
Veterinarian Kate Savage reminded producers of the effects of heat stress in summer, particularly in sows.
Dr Savage said eco-shelters and to free range, producers had less control over temperature and day length.
