National Pig Association seeks emergency UK aid for farmers

The National Pig Association (NPA) has requested emergency financial support and intervention from the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to assist pig farmers in England. The industry is facing a crisis driven by contract cancellations from major meat processors, including Cranswick, which are shifting toward vertical integration.

This shift has forced independent producers into the spot market, where prices have dropped to approximately €1.50/kg, significantly below production costs. The NPA is seeking a compensation program to bridge the gap between spot prices and production costs, as well as funding for slaughter premiums and private chilled meat storage. The industry also faces an estimated surplus of 10,000 to 15,000 pigs per week.