Farmers protesting in York say pig industry faces 'collapse'

Farmers have held a protest outside government offices in York over claims the pig industry is at risk of collapse. 

Dozens of people gathered outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) building following months of difficulty.

The National Pig Association claims around 35,000 healthy pigs have been culled in the past six months because of a huge backlog of animals in farms.

The protestors claim there has been a "mass exodus" of abattoir workers since Brexit, along with the challenges of staff shortages due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Farmers from around the UK are gathering in York as representatives take part in a roundtable discussion with Defra about what they say is a crisis in British pig production.

Kate Moore, who farms near Driffield, East Yorkshire, said: "We need to let them know how important this meeting is to our industry.

"We’re protesting to show our support and let them know that this meeting is vital to the industry.

"It’s going to be devastating. They must do something."

Pig farmers raised concerns last year when a shortage of butchers left farms overflowing with piglets and raised the prospect of large-scale culling.

North Yorkshire farmer Richard Lister said: "The worst thing would be to have to cull animals on site. It would just be game over for me - I’d leave the industry.

"But it’s looking like it could be the only option if nothing is done. The government need to step up."

A Defra spokesperson said: “We continue to engage closely with the pig sector, and are bringing together producers, processors, retailers and exporters to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by the industry and solutions moving forward.”