Pig Farmers search for new campaign anthem
Pig farmers have launched a search to find an anthem for the Pigs Are Still Worth it! campaign.
The campaign is designed to win a fair deal for farmers from supermarkets and the meat processing industry in the face of rocketing feed prices.
In 2008 when pig farmers last campaigned for a price increase "Stand By Your Ham," written and recorded by a group of thirty pig farmers from around the country, attracted huge amounts of publicity and support.
The campaign eventually helped secure a fair price for pig farmers, returning them to profit.
UK animal welfare standards are among the highest in Europe. If British farmers go out of business consumers will lose the choice to buy high welfare produce, which carries the Red Tractor mark on pack. Shoppers could also face far higher prices in the long term as supply falls.
Pig farmers’ leaders are now calling for suggestions for a new campaign anthem to convey the message that pig farmers are experiencing losses due to high feed prices while supermarkets and processors are making substantial profits from pork and pork products.
Early suggestions for a new campaign anthem include:
• Twist and Snout
• From Rasher with Love
• Whole "Trotta" Love
Barney Kay of the National Pig Association, who was behind "Stand by Your Ham" said, "It really caught people’s imagination and helped them understand that British pig farming was worth saving.
"Now we are looking for another anthem to do the same. The situation is, if anything, worse than in 2008 as feed prices look set to stay high for the foreseeable future. Most farmers are currently losing around £20 per pig produced and many face the prospect of going out of business.
"We are calling on supermarkets and processors to pass a fair price back down the chain. And we’re asking consumers to show their support by continuing to buy high welfare, Red Tractor pork, sausages, bacon and ham."
The winning song will be selected from nominations and performed live at pig farmers’ forthcoming rally in Westminster on 3rd March and released online soon after.
People can post their suggestions; either a song title or, if they wish, song title plus lyrics, at any of the following locations:
