Local MP Malcolm Moss joins Winnie The Pig for Westminster Rally

- Campaign for Fairer Prices -

Local MP Malcolm Moss joined hundreds of pig farmers from across the country yesterday and veteran campaigner ‘Winnie the Pig’ to call for fairer prices for pig farmers.

Malcolm Moss MP has signed an Early Day Motion expressing concern that ,”pig farmers are losing more than £20 on every animal raised, posing a serious threat to the future of British pig production”

The ‘Pigs are worth it! Rally’ aimed to secure support from MPs and Peers for fair prices for British pig farmers who have the highest animal welfare standards in the world.  Malcolm Moss MP is writing to supermarket bosses and processors asking them to help ensure higher prices flow down the supply chain to farmers.

Consumers have said they are happy to pay more for high welfare pork to help farmers  and over 13,000 have signed a petition presented to Downing Street. 

Local MP Malcolm Moss said, “As wheat prices have doubled, feed prices have increased dramatically.  This coupled with the costs of superior animal welfare in comparison with their European counterparts has left British Pig Farmers in a dire situation.  Supermarkets must help pig farmers to maintain their excellent animal welfare standards and ensure that this British industry is sustainable.  I’m confident that the public will be happy to pay more for this top-quality product and the supermarkets must reflect this in their pricing”.

British Pig Executive Chairman Stewart Houston said: "We have reached crisis point.  Without an increase, farmers stand to lose approximately £200 million in the next year and many face the prospect of going out of business.  Then consumers will lose the choice to buy higher welfare Quality Standard Mark pork, bacon and ham.  Two-thirds of all imported produce would be illegal to produce in the UK as it doesn't meet our higher welfare standards."