Mr Watchorn, from Earsham, near Bungay, who runs a 600-sow outdoor breed-to-finish unit, has been involved in the industry for the last 20 years and is also a director of Thames Valley Cambac.

He said: “I feel the main issue is for the industry to remain able to demonstrate clearly to our customers that the pork they are to purchase comes from British farms, is assured, produced to a very high standard by farmers who really care about producing pork and is aimed at giving them a repeatable great eating experience.

“There will always be disease challenges, constant demands from both the UK government and the EU for more legislation. This will need to be managed, in close conjunction with the NPA. The volatility in the buying of food will never be far away.”

Mr Watchorn is also a former member of the National Pig Association producer group and also sat on the Real Welfare review group.

BPEX chairman Stewart Houston said: “It is great to have Simon on board. He has worked with the NPA and understands the issues facing the industry. He is in a position to make a valuable and positive contribution to BPEX.”