Pig farmers scorn for Lord Sewel


02 September 1998


Pig farmers’ scorn for Lord Sewel


PIG farmers have rejected claims made by Scottish agriculture minister Lord Sewel that they can market themselves out of the current crisis in the industry.

The minister announced a Scottish Office grant of £150,000 for the Scottish Pig Industry Initiative during a visit to pig farmer Kevin Gilbert. The money will be used to educate retailers, caterers and consumers.

But many producers said they needed to know whether the Government will do something to help UK pig farmers stay in business.

The farmers say they are in danger of being put out of business by the stall and tether ban, the ban on meat and bonemeal, rendering charges and the costs of quality-assurance schemes.

Lord Sewel said education was partly the responsibility of Government but that the industry had to sell itself too.

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