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The Scottish Government is considering a hardship fund for pig farmers affected by the temporary closure of the country’s main pig processing plant due to a Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year.
The plant, based near Brechin, was closed for almost three weeks in January resulting in a backlog in pigs waiting for slaughter and the loss of export licences to send product to China – a market which accounted for approximately 25% of the plant’s throughput.
Scottish Government considering hardship fund for pig farmers
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Pig producers sacrifice prices to clear backlog on farms
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Pig producers sacrifice prices to clear backlog on farms
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Pig sector in crisis talks amid devastating price slump >More in
© Tim Scrivener
Pig producers are losing more than 20p/kg as prices slump amid an oversupply of pigmeat in Europe and a growing backlog of out-of-spec finishers on farms.
The drop below breakeven levels was calculated by AHDB Pork and equates to a loss of about £18 a pig for the average 89.54kg carcass.
The AHDB has blamed rising feed costs and pig prices that have sunk close to the 140p/kg mark.
The dire situation has prompted crisis talks between the supply chain, retailers and the government.
Both Defra secretary George Eustice and farm minister Victoria Prentis joined the discussions, organised by the National Pig Association (NPA), on Tuesday (9 February).