Retailers have been accused of failing to support pig farmers and undermining efforts to improve welfare standards in a scathing new report.
While the report, issued by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee this week, praised producers for implementing higher welfare standards, it claimed some retailers had derailed those efforts by importing pigmeat that failed to meet UK welfare standards.
“It is apparent that a portion of the retail industry has undermined the efforts of government and the pig industry to introduce and implement desirable animal welfare legislation in the UK,” the report claimed.
The committee estimated that 66% of imported pigmeat may come from pigs that were reared in conditions that are banned in the UK.
Efra also criticised supermarkets for failing to share the burden of inflated animal feed costs with the pig industry when they rocketed in 2007.
“Retailers should be more mindful of changes in production costs affecting the industry in future,” it said, adding that retailers must be prepared to respond rapidly if feed prices were to rise again.
The committee urged Defra to consider setting up a task force to address the issues faced by the English pig industry. Bpex, which welcomed the recommendation, said it intended to take the idea forward with the Government.
“We are very pleased the Efra committee report recognises the high welfare standards of English production and the big challenges the industry faces,” said Bpex chief executive Mick Sloyan.
The size of the UK pig herd declined by 40% between 1997 and 2007, and most pig farmers currently lose about £7 for every pig that they produce, Bpex says.
The report, which aimed to pinpoint what was wrong with the English pig industry, consulted stakeholders on issues facing pig producers, from welfare standards and carcase balance to production efficiency and retailer support.
While the report, issued by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee this week, praised producers for implementing higher welfare standards, it claimed some retailers had derailed those efforts by importing pigmeat that failed to meet UK welfare standards.
“It is apparent that a portion of the retail industry has undermined the efforts of government and the pig industry to introduce and implement desirable animal welfare legislation in the UK,” the report claimed.
The committee estimated that 66% of imported pigmeat may come from pigs that were reared in conditions that are banned in the UK.
Efra also criticised supermarkets for failing to share the burden of inflated animal feed costs with the pig industry when they rocketed in 2007.
“Retailers should be more mindful of changes in production costs affecting the industry in future,” it said, adding that retailers must be prepared to respond rapidly if feed prices were to rise again.
The committee urged Defra to consider setting up a task force to address the issues faced by the English pig industry. Bpex, which welcomed the recommendation, said it intended to take the idea forward with the Government.
“We are very pleased the Efra committee report recognises the high welfare standards of English production and the big challenges the industry faces,” said Bpex chief executive Mick Sloyan.
The size of the UK pig herd declined by 40% between 1997 and 2007, and most pig farmers currently lose about £7 for every pig that they produce, Bpex says.
The report, which aimed to pinpoint what was wrong with the English pig industry, consulted stakeholders on issues facing pig producers, from welfare standards and carcase balance to production efficiency and retailer support.
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