PM backs campaign to help pig farmers

David Cameron, along with Home Secretary Theresa May and scores of MPs and MEPs, has pledged support for the Save Our Bacon campaign which is urging shoppers to protect British bacon for future generations by looking for the independent Red Tractor logo.

The logo proves the meat comes from British farms, which have higher welfare standards than many foreign pig farms.

Pork producers have seen their overheads soar due to the escalating cost of pig feed, with input prices having risen by 65 per cent in certain cases, plunging them into a loss.

As a result farming leaders fear production could be down by as much as 10 per cent by Christmas. Were this to happen, food prices would inevitably rise as a result.

Mr Cameron said: “I am keenly aware of the problems currently affecting pig producers largely because of the increase in grain prices over the last few months.

“I welcome the chance to encourage people to support and buy the high quality and high welfare British pork products, which are endorsed with the Red Tractor logo.”

In a statement, Ms May added: “British pig farms can be rightfully proud of the high quality and high welfare pork and pork products they produce. Ministers welcome the chance to encourage people to support these standards and buy pig products endorsed with the Red Tractor logo.”

The chairman of the National Pig Association, Richard Longthorp, who farms in Yorkshire, called for support of the campaign.

He said: “We can only survive these exceptional costs if the large supermarkets choose to pay us a fair price as a matter of urgency — and for that to happen we need shoppers to make a special effort to demonstrate their support for high welfare British bacon, sausages and pork.”