Hundreds of producers, members and stakeholders attended the Pan Pacific Pork Expo (PPPE) on the Gold Coast recently.
The biennial Expo combines a pork industry trade show and exhibition with information sessions supported by peak industry and research bodies Australian Pork Limited (APL) and Pork CRC Limited. It brings together Australian pork industry producers, processors, retail, foodservice, researchers, scientists, educators, subsidiary service providers and government officials. Giving an opportunity for industry members to discuss, debate and where suitable, adopt new technologies and equipment.
The Expo was well attended with more than 680 attendees and 44 exhibitors at a time when the industry is struggling with over supply challenges and the impacts of imported pork on the domestic market, as well as high feed and electricity costs. The program gave suppliers and producers an opportunity to have a frank discussion about the current issues facing the industry, voice their concerns and plan for the future.
The conference program included presentations from various Australian and international guests, with topics ranging from advancements in technology to human resources required to strengthen the Australian pork industry into the future. Animal welfare was also a focus, with presentations about innovating and improving farming practices to set high standards for the care of pigs and ensure their health.
The entertainment was provided by celebrity chefs Li Yongtai, Manu Fieldel, Wang Haiwei and Colin Fassnidge who treated producers and exhibitors to a cook-off using Australian pork. If Australians ate an extra meal of Australian pork per week, the industry would be out of trouble so the chefs encouraged everyone to get some pork on their fork.
The tireless work of Australian pork industry members was recognised with the 2018 Ron Collins Memorial – Pan Pacific Pork Expo Travel Award. Alice Weaver was successful after her University of Adelaide PhD was supported by Pork CRC. She will now have the opportunity to travel overseas and further investigate a topic which is of benefit to the pork industry.
The industry is congratulated on another successful Pan Pacific Pork Expo despite the challenges the industry is facing and it looks forward to coming together to celebrate Australian pork in another two years.