Letter: Plight of the pig farmers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE PROBLEMS of farmers have recently attracted widespread publicity ("The farmer of the future", 29 August). However, the spotlight has largely been on the subsidised livestock sectors: dairy, beef and sheep. If anything, the plight of pig farmers is even worse.
Few people know that pig farmers receive no EU subsidies, although some countries, notably France, have assisted their producers. Meanwhile farmers in the UK have to comply with expensive unilateral rules on animal welfare and feed. They are proud of their high standards, but it is impossible for them to compete with the huge tide of imported pig meat. Over a year's lobbying has got them nowhere with the Government. The Agriculture minister Nick Brown even insists that Maff canteens should be allowed to serve pig meat that does not meet UK health and welfare standards, citing the caterers' right to make "profit-making decisions". All he has done for pig farmers is to impose even higher abbatoir charges, pushing them further into loss.
NEIL DATSON
Spelsbury, Oxfordshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments