British pig industry is fighting back

PIG production in the UK is amongst the most expensive in the world, according to the latest BPEX figures.

Only the luxury meat Italian Parma ham is more expensive to produce, with British pig farmers facing the second highest costs in the world.

However, the industry is fighting back, with lower mortality rates and more pigs finished per sow per year, giving the British industry a boost.

And the continued fall of the pound against the euro could mean that this financial disadvantage is almost eliminated next year.

BPEX chief executive Mick Sloyan said: "It is encouraging that underlying physical performance is still improving but we do have a long way to go. The value of this report is that it highlights and quantifies in a comprehensive manner where the challenges lie for the English pig sector.