Celebrities Phil Vickery, Anthony Worrall Thompson and Sara Cox campaign for British pig farmers

Sara Cox, Phil Vickery and Anthony Worrall Thompson are just a few of the names put to a letter to the Daily Telegraph warning of a crisis in the British pig industry.

The celebrity countryside campaigners include chefs, broadcasting stars, sportsmen and musicians and the letter (below) highlights that, despite the price of pork rising in stores, farmers are still being forced to sell every animal at a loss.

Sir,

Pig farmers are facing a crisis. A rise in global what prices means that feed costs have doubled. British pig farmers sell every pig they rear at a loss.

This situation is set to continue for at least the next year, meaning many farmers could be forced out of business.

All farmers are asking for is a fair deal. Welfare standards for pigs reared in Britain are among the highest in the world and it would be a tragedy if the country lost its pig herd.
 
Each of us has an interest in farming and the countryside. We care about where our food comes from and how it is produced. We care about the people who produce it.

It might mean we all have to pay slightly more for pork, bacon, ham and sausages. We think it is a small price to pay to support agriculture and the rural economy.

Some supermarkets have raised the price of pork. But the average amount paid to the pig farmer has not changed.

Signed: Anthony Worrall Thompson, Oliver Rowe, Amanda Ursell, Jonathan Dimbleby, Paul Daniels, Phil Tufnell, Suggs, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Sara Cox, Allan Lamb, Alan Titchmarsh, Anton Mosimann, Sir Terence Conran, London WC2.