UK pig industry discusses price, welfare challenges

The British Pig and Poultry Fair held an online forum on the challenges facing Europe's pig industry. The discussion highlighted the need for pig prices to increase due to rising feed prices, with Pilgrim’s Pride UK's agriculture director, Andrew Saunders, suggesting that pig prices should match wheat tonnage prices for sustainable production. Other topics included the need for improved worker welfare, research and development, potential debates on gene editing and processed animal proteins in feed, and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Morrisons' head of agriculture, fisheries, and sustainable sourcing, Sophie Throup, emphasized the focus on sustainable sourcing and reducing emissions, with the National Pig Association's chair, Rob Mutimer, addressing the industry's reputational and political challenges and noting opportunities for growth through genetic improvements, better nutrition, and data capture methods. The online forums saw 980 registrations and an average of 300 attendees per forum.