Pig farmers are appealing to retailers to help them survive their worst period of low prices for over half a decade.
The National Pig Association claims that producers are losing up to £10 on every pig they sell. Richard Lister, chairman of the National Pig Association, says the problems have been caused by exchange rate issues between the Pound and the Euro and the impact of the European Union’s trade restrictions with Russia.
He said that over 25 per cent of the EU’s pork products would normally go to Russia.
Richard said some farmers are now being driven out of production. He is appealing to retailers to support UK farmers by buying British pork.
FarmingUK TV spoke to Richard Lister and to an independent butcher, who said he always bought locally and supported farmers.
The sector's lead organisations have joined forces to explain why the industry is worth helping. They cite the significant contribution British pig farmers make to the rural economy, also their higher animal welfare standards, which are the envy of the world.
Leaders of AHDB Pork, Assured Food Standards, British Pig Association, National Farmers Union Scotland, National Pig Association, Pig Veterinary Society and Quality Meat Scotland have issued the following statement:
"Even though this country is only 40 percent self-sufficient in pork, our farmers are losing up to £10 on every pig they sell, as a result of European Union over-supply. Without the support of the rest of the food-chain, serious contraction in the national pig herd is inevitable. This will mean even more imports of lower-welfare pork in future.
