UK Pig Farmers Protest Falling Profits

The U.K. pork industry has reportedly staged a protest at Whitehall, claiming that retailer price cuts and increased feed costs have driven the sector “to the brink of collapse.” Backed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s British Pig Executive (BPEX) and the National Pig Association (NPA), the “Pigs Are Still Worth It” campaign has criticized supermarkets for reaping “record profits” while domestic feed prices have soared 30 percent, cutting into producer margins. “We need retailers to remind their buyers of the importance of supporting British pigmeat production with its high welfare and quality assurance standards,” stated NPA Chair Stewart Houston in an open letter, which highlighted a similar crisis in 2007 and 2008.

In addition to meeting with government representatives, the groups have circulated a petition asking retailers “to pay pig producers a fair price—before it’s too late.” They have also reportedly urged consumers to avoid some large grocery chains selling imported pork raised and processed in allegedly substandard conditions. “We’re hoping the government will stand behind farmers and say to the supermarkets, give us a bit of a fairer deal,” one pig farmer was quoted saying. “At the moment pig farmers are losing £12 million a month, while the supermarkets are making £64 million. They need to pass a little bit more back to producers.” See Farmers Guardian, March 3, 2011; BBC News Berkshire, March 3, 2011.