Co-op £19m cash aid for pig sector

The Co-op has pledged £19 million in additional payments to the UK pig sector and called on other retailers to recognise the plight of producers.

Supermarket chains including Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, M&S, Asda, Aldi, and Tesco, have already offered support but the Co-op said: “it’s too little but not too late to go further.”

The retailer removed imported bacon from its stores five years ago, and its co-managing director Matt Hood said switching to UK produced pork is the strongest commitment retailers can give to farmers at a time when the sector is experiencing unprecedented spiralling costs.

National Pig Association chairman Rob Mutimer welcomed the extra support and said: “Most of the big retailers have now acted in some way to inject more money into the supply chain. But while the price increases are very welcome, with wheat having reached £350/tonne this week, they are still not matching soaring input costs. The reality is that our beleaguered pig producers remain under huge pressure and, in many cases, are battling just to survive from week to week.

“We still need to see more from some retailers. As our industry fights for survival, we urge all the big supermarket chains to always prioritise British pork where they can.”

Meanwhile, Danny Skinner, who farms near Insch, Aberdeenshire, says producers who are feeling overwhelmed should not hesitate to reach out to an organisation like rural charity, RSABI.

He said: “We are resilient as an industry, but this is very different. With the amount costs have gone up it is just not sustainable for many, and we are seeing producers now steadily going out of pigs or increasing their borrowings to worrying levels.”

The charity’s chief executive, Carol McLaren, said: “Our Helpline – 0808 1234 555 – is friendly, professional and 100% confidential and it is rewarding to hear very positive feedback from farmers who contact us.”

The Co-op has pledged to help the pig sector.