October 10, 2007

UK pig industry to demonstrate at retailer conference

The British Pig Industry Group (BPISG) is planning to hold a demonstration when the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) stages it annual convention at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, in a bid to persuade retailers to support price increases for pig producers.

The National Pig Association's campaign was launched several weeks ago but the BPISG feels that retailers still need to be persuaded to support the campaign.

Pig producer John Rowbottom, who is also a BPEX board member, said that with feed prices nearly doubling and retail prices refusing to budge, the British pig industry could collapse in six months time. Producers are already slaughtering sows due to escalating feed costs, he added.

The situation was worsened by the animal movement restrictions brought about by Foot and Mouth Disease which hit the country recently, he added.