December 24, 2007

British pig farmers to gain US$2 million for feed price campaign

The British Pig Executive is to get an additional US$2-million fund in a campaign to fetch better deals for pig farmers.

The money will be spent on the industry in the first quarter of next year in the campaign to have the rise in retail prices filter back to the pig farmers.

The cash includes US$1 million from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs to help farmers recover from the effects of the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.

The campaign, which is being coordinated with that of the National Pig Association (NPA), was launched last August in response to rocketing feed prices.

The extension of the campaign will be led by a series of high profile consumer advertisements in national newspapers, magazines and supplements. It will also be backed up by a media roadshow to go out across Britain to gain more consumer support.

PR activities will include a demonstration in Parliament Square and the presentation of a petition at 10 Downing Street.

An independent, analytical report highlighting the ongoing impact of high feed costs, is being produced by a major feed company and a High Street bank. It will be briefed to politicians, the media, retailers and other sectors.