Bacon link to cancer: hogwash, say farmers

CUMBRIAN pig farmers say they are taking the latest national food scare – which has linked bacon to bladder cancer – with a pinch of salt.

The research, by Harvard scientists in the USA, found that people who ate bacon at least five times a week were 59 per cent more likely to develop the disease than those who never did.

Meanwhile, the World Cancer Research Fund has published research showing that eating red meat and drinking alcohol – even in small amounts – increases the risk of developing cancer.

The 21 scientists involved in that report this week recommended minimising the consumption of meats such as beef, pork, and lamb to reduce your cancer risk.

But farmers in Cumbria this week gave a measured reaction to the stories, saying they could have an impact on farming in the county but expressing a belief that consumers will react in a common sense way to the research.

Andrew Ivinson, 39, who keeps Oxford sandy and black pigs on his farm at Ousby, near Penrith, said: "I'm very sceptical of all these things.

"Human beings are omnivores, designed to eat a balanced diet of meat, vegetables and fish.