Launched at the start of the Outlook 2011 conference in London last month, the new strategy describes how producers can work together to meet a range of challenging targets to cut their carbon footprints by improving efficiency, increasing productivity and sharpening competitiveness.
"We have looked at all the environmental issues facing pig producers today, including climate change, pollution, eutrophication potential, acidification and abiotic resource depletion, and come up with the best solutions for producers as well as the environment," explained British Pig Executive (BPEX) environment programme manager Nigel Penlington.
"Putting all the pieces of the jigsaw together has shown us that feed is the biggest burden and we need to concentrate on ways to improve feed efficiency to deliver many environmental and profits benefits," he said.
"It is a challenging programme, but our competitors abroad are moving in the same direction and the only way forward is to get better. We cannot afford to fall behind, or forget the consumers."
BPEX chairman Stewart Houston said the industry targets went beyond the 11% reduction in the carbon footprint set out by the government for English agriculture, "because we want to leave a firm foundation for the next generation".
Commenting on the new document, titled 'Advancing together', agriculture and food minister Jim Paice said: "The English pig industry has demonstrated ambition to meet the challenges it faces, once again showing its leadership and commitment to making our food and farming more sustainable."
Another strategy on pig health and welfare, also due to be launched at the conference, has been held back for a month or two, due to "the need for further consultations with the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) and the National Pig Association (NPA)".
Speakers at the Outlook conference focused on Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) reform and the likely impact of the European Commission's proposals for a greener CAP on the UK's livestock industry.
They warned that volatile exchange rates, poor harvests and rising demand for cereals could bring further short-term pain.