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Darrol Hopkins was elected SAPPO chairman at the organisation’s annual general meeting in September. He shared his views on various issues with Porcus.

Does the industry need a producer organisation and is SAPPO on the right track?

Yes, I believe that SAPPO is on the right track. I also believe that the industry needs an organisation such as this. Successful and dynamic pork producing countries all over the world, such as Australia and Brazil, have structured organisations.

As a bunch of individuals, all doing their own thing, we will eventually end up competing against each other.

As an organisation, we can lobby collectively on matters such as imports and exports. A central organisation can monitor the situation on behalf of individual farmers and this is the only way to counteract threats from overseas.

It is SAPPO’s job to distribute information so that pig farmers can make informed decisions.

SAPPO can, however, not be all things to all people. It is not SAPPO’s job, for example, to keep pig farmers in business.

SAPPO is, however, well positioned and has the required components, management and expertise to ensure a healthy future for the organisation. I do not think we need to take a back seat to any pork organisation in the world.

One cannot criticise South Africa, labelling it as a third world country, if one does not participate in the relevant organisations. Those pork producers who are not involved with SAPPO fail to see the bigger picture.

What do you see as problem areas for the organisation?

At the moment, free riders, people receiving SAPPO benefits without contributing, constitutes a problem. To be really dynamic, SAPPO needs everybody’s support. Fortunately, it is only a small number of producers who do not contribute. The majority does.

The problem with a compulsory levy on the other hand, is that it brings back memories of the former Meat Board days such as excessive buildings and fat cats. I, however, believe that the Marketing Act gives a clear indication of what the levy should be. The conditions in the Act are quite strict and it works well for other industries such as citrus, wine, cotton and fruit. The statutory levy assisted these industries enormously in their export efforts. SAPPO has been involved in negotiations with the other role-players regarding a statutory levy for the meat industry since the very beginning. We have been very specific in emphasising that funds collected on behalf of the pork industry had to be earmarked for SAPPO functions. We also believe that if the other species do not get their house in order on time, SAPPO will apply for its own statutory levy. In the end, beef and mutton are in opposition to the pork industry.

The lack of statistics with regard to the pig industry is also a problem. One needs to know what is going on.

On the positive side, there is our good health status, underlined by our annual serological report. Our health status is the envy of most other Western pig producing countries. For instance, it costs the US pig industry billions of dollars to eradicate diseases such as PRRS.

It is furthermore a challenge for SAPPO to win favour with the government.

What are your plans for SAPPO?

I intend to make a meaningful contribution to SAPPO. I am an idealist and I hope that some good will come from my ideas. I am not a good maintenance person.

We have to focus on certain areas. I believe SAPPO has entered a new era. We are finally rid of the old Meat Board regime.

SAPPO now occupies new offices and I believe we should change our name to SA Pork.

I strongly support the SAPPO AGM resolution, calling for the promotion of local pork. We must appeal to South African consumers and retailers to support SA pork. We must tell them that by supporting the local product, they in fact, support South African agriculture. We must emphasise how their support influences the remainder of the economic chain in terms of, for example, job creation. We must challenge the patriotism of consumers and wholesalers alike.

I also believe that we must challenge the trade to develop more convenient products. We can learn many lessons from the chicken industry. We need greater versatility and innovation from pork wholesalers. We must get them to embrace pork product development.

I envisage SAPPO information days taking place next year – maybe one in the south and one in the north of the country. This will not replace the provincial annual general meetings, but will inform members about SAPPO’s activities. This need not cost a lot of money and we can get a sponsor.

I am excited about the future. With interest rates coming down, the consumer has more rands to spend. Pork may benefit from this. If we get consumers to increase their consumption by 1/2 kg per person per year, it means that we will need an additional 25 000 tons of pork per year. Protection of the European pork industries is also slowly showing signs of being eroded. This may provide the South African industry with new opportunities.

We have imported 15 000 tons of pork cuts, such as spare ribs, this year. The meat we import can be produced locally. We have to make importing more difficult.

What is your point of view on research?

I believe that future research must focus on us selling more pork. I don’t want to offend pro-researchers, but I believe that in this competitive world all of us have to tighten our belts somewhat. I believe that we can make good use of existing, international research.

Will SAPPO continue to fund Samic?

I believe that Samic has an important role to play, but the organisation is of greater importance to other industries, such as the beef industry, than it is to the pork industry.

SAPPO cannot afford to pay more than its fair share. I also believe that other industries that are not contributing to Samic as yet must start doing so. If this does not happen, I foresee a drastic restructuring of Samic.

You have strong thoughts on promotions ...

I believe that SAPPO has to look at promotions with a fresh eye. It is time for a bit of fresh air. I, however, believe that although we should still continue with the work we have been doing up till now, new ideas and a fresh approach are necessary.