£1 million oxygen bubble for UK pig producers
No levy will be paid next month by pig producers in England and Scotland in a bid to help the swine sector, confronted with a lack of skilled workers, as Brexit took its toll on the workforce available in British farms.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) took the decision in response to the continued build-up of pigs on farms, falling prices and high production costs.
The recommendation has been agreed by Ministers in both countries, with the levy holiday across England and Scotland amounting to just under £1 million, according to a press release from AHDB.
It follows ongoing discussions between the two meat levy bodies, Government and industry to identify ways to help pig producers during these difficult times.
Chairman of the AHDB Pork Board, Mike Sheldon, said: “These challenges, in particular a shortage of skilled workers, come on top of pressure on margins largely due to rising feed costs. These issues are extremely concerning and therefore require industry-wide action to prevent the situation deteriorating into an animal welfare issue.AHDB is already undertaking work to help the sector, including providing independent evidence to Government setting out the seriousness of the situation, and looking at how together we can support meat processors to ease the supply of labour. As part of its wider approach, the AHDB Pork Board has agreed to a one-month levy holiday to help ease the burden of the financial pressures faced by levy-payers.”
QMS Chair, Kate Rowell, says it’s important to support producers as they face exceptional difficulties. She added: “After discussions between the QMS Board and AHDB the decision was made to introduce a levy holiday in November for pig producers. The pig sector plays an important role in Scotland’s agricultural industry and this relief will help support producers as they work tirelessly to look after the animals in their care.”
This week, 600 pigs were culled on a farm in England as the producer couldn't get the animals to an abattoir.
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