NPA in the United Kingdom welcomes support package for the pig industry, but warns that situation remains critical

The NPA has welcomed the Government’s support package for the pig industry, but has warned that the situation on many farms remains at critical point. The Government’s announcement includes temporary visas for 800 butchers to work in UK plants and a private storage aid scheme, alongside a one-month pork levy holiday. The Government said it would also work with industry to introduce processing of animals on Saturdays and longer working days where possible. However, the NPA stressed that, with the situation on farms getting worse and more pigs being culled to create space, the measures need to be implemented promptly and effectively to bring about real improvement. The latest Defra figures show that pig slaughterings in September were down 13% down on a year ago at 792,000 head, 137,000 fewer than September 2020, as staff shortages, particularly of skilled butchers, badly hampered throughput in processing plants. The September figures are also 15% down on August and 16% on July. ...