The NPA will ask for a pig industry support package in recognition of the dire situation facing independent pig producers in a meeting with Defra food security minister Stephen Morgan on Wednesday.
The NPA requested a meeting with Defra minister Dame Angela Eagle at the end of May before she was appointed as security minister a ministerial reshuffle in June.
After replacing her in the role, Mr Morgan initially agreed to meet the NPA in September, but the meeting has been brought forward after he became aware of the turmoil within the pig sector, which was raised by a number of MPs in the House of Commons last week.
The meeting follows last week’s announcement by the Scottish government of a £2m support package for the Scottish pig sector.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “We are pleased this meeting has been brought forward in a clear recognition of the extremely precarious position the UK pig sector finds itself in – and the need to find urgent solutions.
“The Scottish government has acted quickly and worked with the industry to provide support for its pig farmers. We will use our meeting with the minister to press for a support package from Defra to ease the immense pressure on pig producers in England.
“If solutions aren’t found quickly, an incredibly difficult situation now could deteriorate further in the autumn, with an irreversible long-term impact for our independent pig sector.”
Pig producers have faced months of falling prices and rising costs, compounded by all the big processors giving notice on contracts with their independent pig producers. According to the latest NPA Pig Industry Group meeting, at least 10,000 pigs per week could be coming onto the market without an outlet when current contracts start to expire in the autumn.
Commons questions
A number of MPs highlighted the situation facing the pig sector during Defra questions in the House of Commons on Thursday.
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont cited NPA comments that many independent producers are now losing as much as £50 per pig stating that independent, which he said ‘is clearly not sustainable for any business’. He asked if the minister has considered the adequacy of the 2025 Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations, ‘especially regarding imbalances in power and price abuse’.
South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy said many independent pig producers, including smaller family farms in his constituency, have been served notice on their contracts by processors. He asked if the minister would meet the NPA to discuss ‘what steps can be taken to support the industry through this challenging period’.
Responding, Mr Morgan said he ‘recognised the challenges that pig farmers are facing’. “This Government are taking action to strengthen protections for pig farmers, particularly where there are severe losses and disruption, as the sector has been facing in recent years. We will ensure fairer, more transparent contracts to build a resilient and profitable industry,” he said.
He said the Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 ‘will give farmers greater certainty, transparency and confidence to invest, grow their businesses, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the sector’.
He confirmed that he had accepted an invitation from the NPA to discuss the industry challenges ‘and will be meeting it shortly’.
Westminster Hall debate
The current turmoil facing the pig sector will again be debated in parliament this afternoon. Harriet Cross (Con, Gordon and Buchan) has secure an hour-long Westminster Hall debate on ‘Government support for pig farmers’.