The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has announced the publication of the Pork Environmental Roadmap, which will set out a shared evidence-based framework with the aim to guide environmental progress across the industry.
Developed by a pork steering group and facilitated by AHDB, the roadmap looks to provide a “clear direction for continued improvement” and a platform for demonstrating the sector’s environmental performance.
Bringing together data, practical experience and sector insight, the roadmap looks to set out a clear picture of where the sector is today as well as a coordinated plan for future action. It’s designed with the intention of helping the sector demonstrate progress, respond to scrutiny and strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of British pork production.
The roadmap is structured around seven strategic priorities:
- Net carbon
- Air quality
- Water stewardship
- Slurry, manure and nutrient management
- Biodiversity
- Waste and recycling
- On-farm energy
Throughout the roadmap, the importance of robust data, consistent measurement and industry collaboration are all highlighted.
According to AHDB, British pork production has made “significant gains”. A new life cycle assessment highlighted an 18% reduction in carbon footprint between 2008 and 2023, while during the same period, emissions linked to land-use and land-use change fell by 71%. AHDB said this reflected “major improvements” in feed sourcing and pig diet formulation, driven by advances in feed efficiency, productivity and innovation across the supply chain.
The roadmap sets out an action plan for 2026 to 2030 with the aim to scale best practice and support the adoption of new technologies. Progress will reportedly be monitored through five-yearly life cycle assessments.
Hugh Crabtree MBE, chair of the Pork Environmental Roadmap Steering Group, said: “This roadmap is a significant step forward for the British pork sector. From the outset, we were clear it had to be grounded in robust evidence, and that principle has guided every stage of its development.
“It provides a transparent picture of where we are today, highlights the substantial progress already made and sets out a credible path for continued improvement. It will continue to evolve as new data, innovation and insight emerge, helping to ensure the sector remains both environmentally responsible and commercially resilient.
“If there are challenges to our findings, let’s be hearing about them! We believe our progress to a more sustainable future will come from robust dialogue.”
Lizzie Wilson, chief executive of the National Pig Association (NPA), said: “For producers, it’s about practical, achievable improvement. It supports better decision making, helps businesses prepare for future policy and market expectations, and reinforces the reputation of British pork as a sustainable, high-quality product. Most importantly, it ensures the sector is telling its own story with confidence, backed by data.”
The full roadmap can be accessed here.
