Retailers are urged to act over crisis in pig industry
Trade involved in full and frank exchange of views on sector’s plight
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The Scottish pig industry called for action from retailers, wholesalers and caterers last night after a meeting in Edinburgh to discuss its financial crisis.
NFU Scotland north-east regional board chairman and pig farmer Philip Sleigh said the talks – chaired by Scottish Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead – had been useful in raising issues directly with buyers and in stressing the growing losses that farmers were suffering.
Mr Sleigh said: “The talks were frank. I was pleased that such a broad spectrum from the retail, catering and trade turned up. There were many issues raised.
“My main concern is that it’s action we now need.”
The majority of pig farmers without their own grain supplies have been losing at least £20 per pig slaughtered because of the doubling in the cost of feed since last summer.
Mr Lochhead expressed gratitude to all those who took part in the discussions to try and resolve the problems facing pig farmers.
He said: “The pig industry has attached enormous importance to this meeting. There was a full and frank exchange of views and a clear willingness on all sides to engage in this important issue.
“I am acutely aware of the difficult situation the pig industry faces and I am committed to doing all we can to support this vital sector.”
Mr Lochhead said a series of action points had been agreed. These include:
NFU Scotland pigs policy manager Peter Loggie said one of the suggestions put forward at the meeting was that retailers market Scottish pork on its animal welfare credentials which are considerably higher than all other parts of the EU.
He added: “Ultimately, the future of the Scottish pigs industry depends on producers getting a decent price for what they produce. This is still not happening, despite repeated calls and the real threat is of Scottish pork vanishing from supermarket shelves for good.”
Others involved in the meeting included representatives from Asda, the Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Somerfield, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose, the Scottish and British retail consortia, the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, Quality Meat Scotland, Scottish Pig Producers, the Office of Fair Trading and Campbell’s Prime Meats.
The taskforce, set up last month by Mr Lochhead, has until June 13 to come up with recommendations on what the government should do to help producers.
It is discussing a range of measures including improved labelling, a support scheme for producers who want to stay in pig farming, a vaccination programme against a wasting disease and an audit of the production standards and labelling of imported pigmeat.
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