THE British Pig Association is warning all producers and processors to

be on their guard against attempts to bring live pigs for finishing or

slaughter into Britain.

This trade can officially begin as the European ''marketplace'' opens

up, and the association is ''extremely concerned'' that live pigs could

introduce disease, causing damage to the UK pig industry.

Grenville Welsh, the association's chief executive, stated yesterday:

''The UK pig herd has an enviable high health status and this could be

jeopardised by importing pigs from other member States where health

standards are lower.

''EC legislation under the single market Act removes the right of

recipient countries from conducting essential routine health checks on

imported stock.''

He claimed that the recent outbreak of Swine Vesicular Disease in the

Netherlands, with associated cases elsewhere in Europe, had emphasised

the danger. Aujeszky's Disease was another potential risk area, despite

additional safeguards gained by British negotiators.

The UK industry's exports of breeding stock to all corners of the

world could suffer if disease is brought in by weaner or slaughter pigs.

Slaughter weight pigs could come in, and go direct to an abattoir;

weaners could arrive for finishing; or the exporters could buy British

units as a means of gaining access to the market.

Mr Welsh added: ''We believe that the movement of weaners into this

country is an unacceptable risk. Producers buying such pigs pose a

threat to this country's high health status.

''We also hope that abattoirs will share our genuine concern over the

possible supply of slaughter pigs from abroad.

''The UK industry has invested vast sums on the eradication of disease

-- the establishment of an Aujeszky's Disease-free situation was

financed by #27m of producers' money. It is now up to the whole industry

to take a firm stand to help safeguard the health of its pigs.''