A BURY St Edmunds-based valuer has scooped a pig farming industry award for his ‘humanity and kindness’.

Independent consultant and valuer Peter Crichton wins this year’s National Pig Association (NPA) Chris Brant Award.

The award is made annually by the National Pig Association to someone who, in the judges’ opinion, consistently goes the extra mile for the British pig industry, with no thought of personal reward.

The award citation reads: “Over the years many pig-keepers have called on his services and he has always offered reassurance, combined with sound advice founded on experience, professionalism, humanity and kindness.

“The amount of emotional support he has given to families has been beyond value. He earns his living from the pig industry as an auctioneer and valuer and marketing expert, but he goes much further, offering expert advice to all who need him.”

Chairman of judges Richard Longthorp, a pig producer and arable farmer in East Yorkshire, and chairman of NPA, said: “Peter Crichton has always been a strong supporter of the pig industry, and National Pig Association in particular, and has gone the extra mile for the industry in so many ways. But his main way of helping is just to be there, a source of strength and commonsense in times of need — someone who is prepared to sit down at the kitchen table and help solve seemingly intractable problems. Many people have a lot to thank him for.”

In his acceptance speech, Peter Crichton said: “There are many others much more deserving of this award. I have been so fortunate to be involved in a field where I have made some wonderful friends, especially in the dark days of the late 1990s, as well as experiencing the solidarity and mutual support within British Pig Industry Support Group and the NPA during all those protests, blockades and rallies, including covert pig deliveries to Westminster and sleeping with Winnie-the-Pig in Parliament Square.

“Despite all the challenges ahead I know that British pig producers are well equipped to face the future backed by such a wonderful mix of characters, all of whom are prepared to do whatever is necessary to promote and protect our industry.”