Pigs urge farmers to ‘stand by your ham’

Apr 1 2008 by Tom Patterson, The Journal

THREE little pigs came to Newcastle yesterday to help raise awareness of the crisis currently facing British pig farming.

The visit was part of the “Pig Issue Tour”, which will visit 11 towns and cities across the country – the latest stage in a pig farmers’ campaign for fairer prices for their animals.

The British pig industry is on the verge of vanishing – feed prices have doubled over the past year and farmers are now losing around £20 on every pig raised.

If farmers do not receive price rises for their animals soon, many face the prospect of going out of business.

The tour is being organised by the National Pig Association and the British Pig Executive.

The campaign has gathering momentum following the launch of a major advertising campaign, a rally in Westminster, attended by around 700 farmers, and the recording of campaign anthem “Stand by Your Ham”. Consumers have also said they are happy to pay more to help farmers. BPEX chairman Stewart Houston said: “stand by your ham”

“There is no doubt that people are starting to listen. Over 16,000 people have signed our online petition and after the Westminster rally around 50 MPs signed an Early Day Motion supporting pig farmers and wrote to major retailers asking them to provide more support to the pig industry.”

Tour organiser Malcolm Baxter said: “We may have three little pigs on the tour but we’re certainly not crying wolf.”