The National Pig Association (NPA) has revealed its General Election manifesto, in which it calls for a fair and balanced deal for British pig farmers from the next Government, ahead of Brexit.
The association represents about 80% of British pig production and has identified five priority areas for the main political parties ahead of the 8th June election.
Among the five points the manifesto focuses on is the post-Brexit trade, with NPA warning that “we must not agree to deals that open us up to unfair competition”, while fighting for equivalent standards.
The association is highlighting the importance to the pig sector of maintaining tariff-free access to the single market, but also of ensuring that, if tariffs were to be imposed, EU imports would also be subject to equivalent rates.
In addition, the NPA has called for a balanced immigration policy that ensures access to EU labour, noting that “we need to secure workforce and staff that are welcome to live in the UK”.
In regards with domestic agricultural policy, the association notes that it needs to ensure industry’s requirements as a valuable sector are fairly balanced alongside other interests.
Lastly, it warns that the same resource and effort must be offered for pig health and welfare, keeping animal diseases out, while extending export markets.
NPA’s chief executive Zoe Davies commented: “The British pig industry has absolutely no intention of lowering our welfare standards as a result of any post-Brexit trade deals.
“Our manifesto is all about delivering a fair and balanced deal for our members and that includes ensuring British pig producers are not undercut by imports of pork from countries produced to lower welfare standards. We must insist on equivalent standards for imports and, if necessary, designate pork as a ‘sensitive product during free trade negotiations.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
