Tensions between pig farmers and supermarkets are close to boiling point, with producer organisations calling on supermarkets to act now on low pork prices or risk falling foul of their CSR commitments.
Last week, Stewart Houston, the head of the National Pig Association, wrote a letter to the board members of the UK's major multiples, urging them to intervene at main board level to stop the British pig industry from being plunged further into crisis.
Failure to act, he wrote, would not only threaten the supermarkets' ability to provide shoppers with high-welfare, assured British pork products, but also have a direct impact on their ability to live up to corporate and social responsibility commitments.
The letter, seen by The Grocer, stated that soaring cereal and oil seed prices meant pig producers had incurred "huge losses" since August 2010. It added that producers of other products affected by the rise in grain prices, such as chicken and bread, had achieved price increases, but pork had not.
As a result, farmers were already culling 15% more breeding sows and replacing fewer pigs an indication that there would be fewer high-welfare pigs in the future, the letter said.
Houston's letter also quoted relevant sections from supermarket CSR statements.
Although it is understood that the letter was sent to most major UK retailers, pig farmers seem particularly concerned about Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Last week, producer pressure group the BSPCG accused the three of failing to support British pork and said it was planning "aggressive action", including a demonstration at Asda's headquarters in Leeds.
Asked about the planned protests, Asda said it recognised that times were tough for pig farmers, and that was why it had been paying an additional 8p per kilo since the start of the year. "We have regular meetings with all our pig farmers the next one is scheduled for next week and have shared our plans for increasing sales of British pork with the NPA and Bpex," Asda added.
Tesco also said it worked closely with the NPA and Bpex, and stressed it sold more British pork than any other retailer. "We recognise our responsibility to support UK pig producers," a spokeswoman said.
Sainsbury's said it was committed to supporting British pig farmers and was increasing the price paid to its dedicated pork development group by 5p per kilo to help farmers cope with rising input costs.
Last week, Stewart Houston, the head of the National Pig Association, wrote a letter to the board members of the UK's major multiples, urging them to intervene at main board level to stop the British pig industry from being plunged further into crisis.
Failure to act, he wrote, would not only threaten the supermarkets' ability to provide shoppers with high-welfare, assured British pork products, but also have a direct impact on their ability to live up to corporate and social responsibility commitments.
The letter, seen by The Grocer, stated that soaring cereal and oil seed prices meant pig producers had incurred "huge losses" since August 2010. It added that producers of other products affected by the rise in grain prices, such as chicken and bread, had achieved price increases, but pork had not.
As a result, farmers were already culling 15% more breeding sows and replacing fewer pigs an indication that there would be fewer high-welfare pigs in the future, the letter said.
Houston's letter also quoted relevant sections from supermarket CSR statements.
Although it is understood that the letter was sent to most major UK retailers, pig farmers seem particularly concerned about Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Last week, producer pressure group the BSPCG accused the three of failing to support British pork and said it was planning "aggressive action", including a demonstration at Asda's headquarters in Leeds.
Asked about the planned protests, Asda said it recognised that times were tough for pig farmers, and that was why it had been paying an additional 8p per kilo since the start of the year. "We have regular meetings with all our pig farmers the next one is scheduled for next week and have shared our plans for increasing sales of British pork with the NPA and Bpex," Asda added.
Tesco also said it worked closely with the NPA and Bpex, and stressed it sold more British pork than any other retailer. "We recognise our responsibility to support UK pig producers," a spokeswoman said.
Sainsbury's said it was committed to supporting British pig farmers and was increasing the price paid to its dedicated pork development group by 5p per kilo to help farmers cope with rising input costs.
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