MP TALKS TO WAITROSE BOSS IN EFFORT TO SAVE BRITAIN'S BACON

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

After having written to the Chief Executives of the 16 biggest food retailers, City and County MP Sandra Gidley has today discussed the plight of the local and national pig farming industry with Waitrose Managing Director, Mark Price.

In the meeting, Sandra praised Waitrose for their efforts in getting consumers to pay a fair price for their pork, but emphasised that more needs to be done if 'Hampshire's Hog' is to be saved from extinction.

Commenting after her talk with Mr. Price, Sandra said:

"I congratulate Waitrose, who are doing more than many supermarkets to fight for British pig farmers and who pay a premium to their pig farmers. Unfortunately though, I fear that this may not be enough.

"The pig farming industry in Hampshire and across the UK is literally on the verge of vanishing. Feed prices have almost doubled and local farmers are losing an average of £26 for every pig that is raised.

"Supermarkets need to either increase their pork prices by between 7p and 17p, or pay their farmers a premium to cover their losses. Otherwise our farmers will rapidly be forced out of business.

"I know that many local shoppers are happy to a fair price for their pork, but if the farmers don't get that fair price for their pigs many will struggle to carry on in business at all.

"I will continue to do all I can to highlight the plight of the industry and to encourage other supermarkets to give our farmers a fair price for our pork."

ENDS