THE Outgoers element of the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme is now open for applications, Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announced this week.

"The aim of Outgoers is to reduce pig breeding capacity in the UK by 16pc compared to what was available in June 1998 in order to allow the British pig industry to get on with its necessary restructuring," said Mr Brown.

Those eligible for the scheme are pig breeders who are still in production; those who ceased production since June 1998 but can prove they were operating at that time and have facilities to demolish or dismantle; and, in some circumstances, those who have already demolished their facilities but can show they were in production in June 1998.

Further information and application forms from: PIRS Unit, MAFF, Rm 511, Whitehall Place (East Block), London SW1A 2HH; telephone (020) 7270 8457; e-mail at pirs@mpep.maff.gsi.gov.uk.