Defra promises ‘Supply Chain Fairness’ review following pig crisis summit
After hosting a summit to address the pig crisis, Farming Minister Victoria Prentis said Defra will launch a review into the ‘fairness’ of the supply chain in the pig sector.
The National Pig Association (NPA), the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and pig producers were joined by representatives from major retailers and pork processors at an industry roundtable meeting at Defra’s headquarters. The meeting was chaired by Farming Minister Victoria Prentis.
In a tweet following the meeting, Prentis said: “Constructive conversation with pig sector representatives today. I am pleased to announce that we will launch a review of Supply Chain Fairness in the pig sector – more details to come. We will continue to work with the sector on the immediate challenges they are facing.”
She said: “The effects on pig farmers have been devastating, and it is clear that many contractual arrangements are simply unfair.”
NPA said that while there were wide-ranging discussions and some actions agreed to try and make more progress in easing the pig backlog, the summit did not deliver what the NPA and NFU were asking in some areas.
‘The responsibility of government’
Giving his initial reaction, NPA chairman Rob Mutimer said: “It was a full and frank discussion, and Defra ministers and officials and the supply chain representatives were left in no doubt as to the seriousness of the problems currently being experienced on farms.”
Mutimer added: “While Victoria Prentis is working really hard for us, the labour issue is the responsibility of other government departments and that is where the barrier lies.
“There is now a list of actions from the summit and the urgency now is to identify who is going to do what and when because time scales for this are basically yesterday. Producers are desperate and need action now.”
“No short-term fix”
NFU president Minette Batters said that she is urging government to simplify the skilled worker visa route to allow more butchers to be recruited and to make use of public procurement to source British pork.
She continued: “Let’s be clear. Since April, the NFU, the NPA and the entire food supply chain has been warning the government of the possible consequences labour shortages could have on food and farming. Unfortunately, our predictions have become reality and it is deeply frustrating that nothing has been done. We now have a long-term plan but no short-term fix.”
Batters added: “The launch of an immediate review of supply chain fairness in the pig sector is positive but unfortunately it will do nothing to alleviate the crisis taking place on pig farms across the country. The whole industry and government now needs to pull together to resolve this crisis.”
The NPA said it will issue a full response shortly.
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