Support Britain's pig farmers

Mar 3 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

MORE THAN 10,000 people have registered their support for Britain’s pig farmers by signing the online petition at www.pigsareworthit.com, calling for fair prices for farmers.

The British Pig Executive says farmers are losing £26 for every pig sold. The industry is asking for a modest rise in retail prices for pork products carrying the Quality Standard Mark and for the rises to go to the producer.

The campaign petition will be presented at Downing Street tomorrow, when farmers from across the country will be out in force for a rally in Whitehall to call for fairer prices.

Organised by the National Pig Association, the demonstration is to raise awareness of the deepening crisis in the industry resulting from soaring feed prices, which are said to have driven it to the brink of collapse.

Bpex chairman Stewart Houston said: “The fact that we now have over 10,000 signatures on the petition is excellent news. It just goes to show that there is a whole lot of support out there from people who really do care about the plight of Britain’s pig farmers.

“Research has already shown an overwhelming 78% of consumers are prepared to pay more for pork to cover the rising production costs and support pig farmers.”

There’s still time to sign at www.pigsareworthit.co.uk/epetition