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| Pig farmers march on Westminster | Pig farmers march on Westminster |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of farmers are to hold a demonstration at Westminster to protest at the falling price of pork. | Hundreds of farmers are to hold a demonstration at Westminster to protest at the falling price of pork. |
| Farmers' leaders say the industry is in "meltdown", and some warn that so many farmers are quitting that there may be a pork shortage by the end of the year. | Farmers' leaders say the industry is in "meltdown", and some warn that so many farmers are quitting that there may be a pork shortage by the end of the year. |
| Feed prices have doubled over the past year and farmers say they are losing more than £20 on every pig raised. | Feed prices have doubled over the past year and farmers say they are losing more than £20 on every pig raised. |
| Joining the protest will be Winnie, a nine-year-old pig who has attended previous farmers' protests. | Joining the protest will be Winnie, a nine-year-old pig who has attended previous farmers' protests. |
| Apart from the demonstration in Whitehall, a petition calling for support for pig farmers will also be presented to Downing Street. | Apart from the demonstration in Whitehall, a petition calling for support for pig farmers will also be presented to Downing Street. |
| As well as the feed price problems, British farmers also abide by stricter welfare regulations than those in other EU countries, making their pigs more expensive to rear. | As well as the feed price problems, British farmers also abide by stricter welfare regulations than those in other EU countries, making their pigs more expensive to rear. |
| If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business. Richard Longthorp, Pig farmer | |
| And industry experts say that although supermarkets have recently raised their prices significantly, only a fraction of that is finding its way back to the pig farmers. | And industry experts say that although supermarkets have recently raised their prices significantly, only a fraction of that is finding its way back to the pig farmers. |
| The increase in animal feed is a result of rocketing grain prices on world markets. | The increase in animal feed is a result of rocketing grain prices on world markets. |
| 'Crisis point' | 'Crisis point' |
| British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston said many farmers would lose their livelihoods without an increase in the price of pork. | British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston said many farmers would lose their livelihoods without an increase in the price of pork. |
| "We have reached crisis point. Without an increase, farmers stand to lose approximately £200 million in the next year, and many face the prospect of going out of business. | "We have reached crisis point. Without an increase, farmers stand to lose approximately £200 million in the next year, and many face the prospect of going out of business. |
| "Then consumers will lose the choice to buy higher-welfare Quality Standard Mark pork, bacon and ham. | "Then consumers will lose the choice to buy higher-welfare Quality Standard Mark pork, bacon and ham. |
| "Two-thirds of all imported produce would be illegal to produce in the UK as it doesn't meet our higher welfare standards." | "Two-thirds of all imported produce would be illegal to produce in the UK as it doesn't meet our higher welfare standards." |
| 'No special treatment' | 'No special treatment' |
| A cross party Early Day Motion tabled by British pig industry supporter Richard Bacon MP - Tory MP for South Norfolk - will also call for the government's support for British pig farming. | A cross party Early Day Motion tabled by British pig industry supporter Richard Bacon MP - Tory MP for South Norfolk - will also call for the government's support for British pig farming. |
| Richard Longthorp, a pig farmer from Howden in Yorkshire, said: "We don't want any special treatment. All we are asking for is a fairer share. | Richard Longthorp, a pig farmer from Howden in Yorkshire, said: "We don't want any special treatment. All we are asking for is a fairer share. |
| "Feed represents around 50% of our costs and this has gone up massively. Prices are going up but we're not getting a share of it. | "Feed represents around 50% of our costs and this has gone up massively. Prices are going up but we're not getting a share of it. |
| "If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business." | "If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business." |