NFU Scotland warns pig sector crisis far from over
© Tim Scrivener Scotland’s pig sector remains in crisis, with independent producers losing more than £1m a month and businesses continuing to exit the industry, NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon has warned.
Speaking at the union’s autumn conference in Edinburgh on Thursday 29 October, he urged the Scottish government to provide further emergency support, arguing that the £2m package announced in July falls short of the losses facing producers.
See also: Government signals end to CO2 stunning of pigs
He said the sector had been under intense pressure since March, with falling pig numbers and the loss of multi-generational farming businesses threatening its future.
“We’ve seen multi-generational farming businesses make the heartbreaking, gut-wrenching decision to leave the industry and the implications go far beyond individual businesses.”
Mr Connon also accused the Westminster government of failing to grasp the scale of the problem.
“I must highlight how disappointed I am in the UK government for not grasping the seriousness of the UK pig crisis,” he told delegates, adding that repeated requests for action had so far resulted in little more than sympathy.
Support package plea
Mr Connon urged ministers to provide another package of short-term assistance, stressing that producers wanted to make a living from selling pigs rather than rely on government bailouts.
He also warned that continued losses of producers risked undermining the critical mass needed to sustain Scotland’s pig processing infrastructure.
The sector consumes about 300,000t of Scottish grain a year, meaning declining pig production would also have significant consequences for arable farmers.
Mr Connon highlighted the substantial investment required by surviving producers to meet future welfare and environmental standards, arguing that capital support would be essential if businesses were to adapt.
During questions from the floor, NFUS Pigs Committee chairman Jamie Wylie pressed the Scottish government for assurances that proposed changes to welfare regulations would be accompanied by adequate financial support and realistic implementation periods.
Added pressures
He warned that discussions around alternative farrowing systems and a potential UK government ban on carbon dioxide (CO2) stunning could place further pressure on an already struggling industry.
“Can I ask today for Scottish government commitment that any change to welfare rules will have plenty long lead-in times and enough direct support to make it viable?” he asked.
“Because if it doesn’t, I’m not sure there will be a strong, vibrant pig industry left in Scotland.”
Scotland’s farming minister Jim Fairlie said he recognised the pressures facing producers and promised continued discussions with the sector as welfare consultations progress.
He said the Scottish government would seek to implement any resulting changes “in a way that does not debilitate the sector”.
Scotland’s farming minister Jim Fairlie MSP (right) responds to a question from the floor © MAG/Philip Case
Mr Fairlie also criticised retailers for promoting imported pork, saying one in particular was celebrating “fantastic” products from Germany and The Netherlands while Scottish producers remained under pressure.
Cabinet secretary for climate action and rural affairs Gillian Martin MSP said talks with NFU Scotland and the wider industry were continuing to explore further support for pig producers and strengthen the sector’s long-term resilience.