The UK pig sector is standing on the edge of a precipice, the NPA has warned, as it highlights the precarious situation the pig sector finds itself in, as part of a wider ‘crisis point’ facing UK agriculture.
Pig farmers across the UK are facing a prolonged market downturn, driven partly by oversupply and a challenging market and rock bottom prices across Europe, and an unprecedented number of contract terminations from processors. With the previous industry crisis still very fresh in the memory, producers have responded by cutting the size of their breeding herds or, in some cases, leaving the sector.
The situation, like other sectors of agriculture, has been exacerbated by this summer’s extreme heat, which has affected pig performance, and global conflicts that have pushed up the cost of inputs.
A group of farming organisations, led by the NFU and including the NPA, has warned that, without immediate action, next year’s food production and the future of the next generation of farmers are at risk.
NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said the pig industry is facing its own unique challenges. “The UK pig sector is, once again, standing on a precipice, facing a further contraction that threatens to compromise the UK’s ability to produce the high-quality British pork products that our consumers desire,” she said.
“Many independent pig producers are heading into the autumn with no clarity about where they will be able to sell the pigs they produce and are facing a potential financial and welfare crisis.
“Many are also being forced to accept pig prices far below the cost of production and are losing thousands of pounds a week.
“All of this is being compounded by the impact of the hot weather and rising costs. As a result, we are going to lose more of our valued independent pig producers at a time when we should be looking to produce more British pork products to satisfy public’s demand.”
NPA action
In response to the latest crisis, the NPA has:
- Requested a support package from government, including financial support for those hardest hit, longer-term elements such a better forecasting and commitments to prioritise British pigmeat in procurement policies.
- Requested an industry roundtable to discuss short- and long-term solutions.
- Engaged with the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator to ensure pig contract requirements are being adhered to.
- Urged the foodservice sector to support British pig producers and be more transparent in its sourcing policies.
- Engaged with processors and retailers to ensure they are aware of the crisis facing producers and to seek support.
- Lobbied MPs, who have raised the industry’s plight in various parliamentary debates.
Lizzie added: “We are seeking support from government and across the supply chain to alleviate the short-term damage and find longer-term solutions. If the situation does not improve, we will end up with a smaller and weakened independent pig sector and a supply chain that is even more reliant on imported pork.”