SANDRA & WINNIE 'HOG' THE LIMELIGHT

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Mar 2008

Hampshire and Southampton MP, Sandra Gidley, has today gathered with representatives of the pig farming industry to alert consumers, politicians, processors and retailers to the plight of the pig farming industry in Hampshire and across the UK.

Due to high feed costs, Hampshire farmers are currently losing an average of £26 per pig, forcing many into financial difficulty and pushing some out of pig farming all together.

Commenting with local farming representatives on Whitehall, Sandra said:

"The British pig industry is on the verge of vanishing. Feed prices have almost doubled and farmers are losing money for every pig that is raised.

"Consumers both in Hampshire and across the country have said that they are happy to pay more for their pork, but if the farmers don't get a fair price for their pigs many will struggle to carry on in business at all.

"I know too many local pig farmers who are finding that it simply no longer pays to rear pigs - this has to change. After all everyone in business deserves to receive a fair price for their labour.

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

Sandra with ‘Winnie’ the pig at the demonstration in Whitehall

ENDS