EU pig rule could cost farmers £28m

A European directive that could leave British pig farmers facing a £28 million bill has been criticised by agricultural accountants.

New rules introduced by the European Commission will require pig producers to reduce the gap in slatted floors and keep animals in larger pens. Many of the pens currently used are too small for the pig to turn around.

The EC believes a gap wider than 18mm in concrete slatted floors could see pigs getting their legs caught.

However, many older pig floors were designed to imperial measurements, with a gap of three quarter inch or 19 to 22mm.

It is understood that about 9.5 million pigs in Britain are reared on concrete slatted floors.

The National Pig Association has said that provisional estimates say that the cost of replacing and disposing of the old floors could cost up to £28m.

Paul Laird, a director at The Fish Partnership, said the decision would be costly for many pig farmers, particularly in the light of other economic pressures.

He said: "Farmers are already under increasing pressures, with the pressure on the UK sector putting some farmers out of business or at serious risk of failing.

"A combination of rocketing costs and poor prices has resulted in their losing money on every pig sold.

"This added burden could seriously affect businesses ability to survive. Jobs on farms are already being lost, and this is creating concern for other sectors that depend on pig producers, such as abattoirs, veterinary practices, animal feed manufacturers and pig equipment suppliers.

"I would urge the Defra and the farming minister to get a handle on the situation before it is too late."