Poor pig prices force closure of farms

Cheap pork and bacon imports are forcing one of the UK’s largest pig producers to close two of its 10 units.

Midland Pig Producers (MPP) has begun consulting with staff at the two sites at Fradley, near Lichfield in Staffordshire, and at Foston in Derbyshire.

The two units house about 1,200 pedigree sows between them. The move would mean a reduction of 12,000-15,000 finished pigs a year from the current 60,000 head finished by the group, said director James Leavesley.

See also: Struggling pig farmers demand greater support from retailers

He said the business was taking a three- to five-year view, taking this action now so it would be in a position to cope with and compete with cheaper imports.

There was a danger that if more people took the decision to reduce capacity, UK pig production could fall to a dangerously low level, said Mr Leavesley. “Looking at the bigger picture, I think it will be very difficult for the British consumer to find British pork and bacon.”

Although all efforts would be made to relocate both staff and sows at other farms, it was likely that some jobs would be lost, said the company.

MPP is part of the agricultural division of the Leavesley Group, a Midlands-based trading, property and agricultural group. Aside from the pig operation, which accounts for about 50 jobs, its agriculture division includes 1,400ha of arable production.

The pig division has been fighting a well-publicised planning battle to build a large-scale production and finishing unit at Foston.

It was still the intention to pursue this development, said MPP. Had its plans for the Foston development already been approved, then it was likely that these two older farms would have closed to relocate the stock and personnel to the new farm, said the company.

“However, we have brought forward the plan to close these two farms before the new one is built in response to the state of the current pig and pork meat market in the UK,” said a statement.

“This position appears to be set for some time and closing these old units will help MPP focus on progressing its strategy for the future. We still firmly believe that the principles underpinning our Foston plans are the only way British pig farming will be sustainable in the future.

“Our remaining farms have implemented many of the principles of the Foston design, with anaerobic digesters, freedom farrowing and air scrubbing in a high-health environment, but the two units being considered for closure are not suitable for this type of refurbishment and renovation.”

The MPP announcement came just days after UK pig prices saw another big weekly drop, to below 118p/kg deadweight, with import competition piling on the pressure.

The National Pig Association is stressing to UK retailers and food service customers the importance of traceability and the need to support producers if they wanted to see reliable supplies of quality British pork continue.