Threat to toad in the hole as pig industry struggles

Feb 21 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

PIG FARMING experts have warned that the industry is close to meltdown due to increased feed prices.

Pig farmers currently lose at least £20 on every pig sold for slaughter, according to industry body the British Pig Executive (Bpex).

That is putting the future of British pork and bacon under threat.

Toad in the hole and other traditional dishes could disappear if the pig industry continues to decline.

Bpex spokesman Jon Bullock warned that the pig industry is facing severe problems due to wholesale grain costs doubling in the past year.

Grain used in pig feed accounts for 50% of farmers’ production costs.

Pig farmers are no longer paid enough for their animals to break even, despite retailers putting up the price of pork products, Mr Bullock warned.

Those who farm both pigs and arable crops can now get more money selling their grain than by feeding it to their pigs to be reared for meat, he said.

Around nine million pigs are currently produced for slaughter in the UK every year.

But Mr Bullock said farmers were losing at least £20 on every pig sold for slaughter, with losses fluctuating as grain prices go up and down.

He said: “This is a totally unsustainable situation and the industry is close to meltdown.

“It does mean that unless things change and change fast, the British public will no longer have the choice of being able to buy British pork. The situation is dire.”

Malcolm Corbett, Livestock representative for the North East National Farmers’ Union, said: “Things have been bad for a long time and many people have got out of the industry. And things are getting worse rather than better. It is almost at crisis point.”

Meanwhile, supermarket chain Waitrose has launched a campaign aimed at helping the ailing industry.

Shoppers at Waitrose stores will be encouraged to buy British pork as part of its new Save Our Bacon campaign.

Waitrose senior meat buyer Jane Clarke said British farmers produced some of the world’s best pork with unrivalled welfare standards.

“Without the support of customers and retailers, some of our British favourites could easily disappear from our national menu,” she warned.

The Save Our Bacon campaign is being launched by Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine at an event in London today.

Editor William Sitwell said pig farmers would go out of business unless shoppers made an effort to buy British. He added: “Our national dishes are under threat.

“A toad in the hole without British pork would be like a British summer without rain, a disaster.”