Last week, I raised the current crisis affecting the pig sector at Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions in the House of Commons.
Earlier in the week I had met with NFUS President Andrew Connon and Director of Policy Jonny Hall to discuss this and other concerns.
It turned out that I wasn’t the only MP to raise this issue on the deepening crisis for independent pig producers and farmers with the Minister, although I also pointed out the seriousness of concerns that a quasi-cartel might be operating, to the detriment of small independent producers.
I asked the Minister to consider using his powers to make a referral to the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator or the Competition and Markets Authority, so that those producers can be protected.
As the new Minister of State at DEFRA, Stephen Morgan MP said he would meet the National Pig Association soon to discuss these serious issues so that there was certainty and clarity in the sector and would follow up on the issues I raised.
