Call to pay fair price to pig farmers

An Early-Day motion regarding the growing crisis in the pig industry has been put forward by Conservative MP for South Norfolk Richard Bacon, and had attracted some 31 signatories at time of going to press, including Thirsk and Malton MP Anne McIntosh.

The motion called upon the House of Commons to note the growing problems in the UK pig industry with soaring feed prices causing significant rises in production costs and to recognise that UK producers are now losing a “crippling average of £21 on every pig produced”.

Mr Bacon’s motion also called upon the House to note that UK producers “observe some of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world as demonstrated by their commitment to the Red Tractor scheme” and said that rural communities would endure “devastating effects on jobs” if the number of farmers being forced out of business continued at the present rate.

It also rounded on supermarkets, asking MPs to note the continued large profits of retailers and called on both supermarkets and processors to “support high levels of animal welfare and pay UK farmers a fair price for their pigs”.

The motion follows a concerted fightback by the UK pork industries against the spiralling overheads that are leading to so many losses within the sector.

The National Pig Association and the British Pig Executive want British consumers to support farmers by demanding British pork products from their retailers, hoping that the increased demand will force the supermarkets into paying fairer prices.

A ‘Banner Blitz’ across the country’s rural roads has also been introduced, with some 500 billboards now lining road-sides urging consumers to buy British.

NPA chairman Stewart Houston said that his organisation did not want Government support or financial support from the state, although he welcomed the support that MPs gave the industry in Parlia- ment.