LINCOLNSHIRE sausage-loving MP John Hayes is urging all his constituents in South Holland and the Deepings to buy British-bred bacon and sausages.
He is responding to the deep concern of local pig farmers and firms involved in processing pork products as their production costs soar on top of the premium they must charge to cover UK animal welfare standards, the highest in the world.
A British Pig Association survey forecasts that 100 pig farmers will go out of business this year as supermarkets buy cheaper pork and pork products from abroad.
Mr Hayes said: “I’m a strong supporter of British pig meat producers and pig farmers and that’s all about looking at the label and making sure what we buy was reared in Britain.
“The supermarkets, which are highly profitable companies, have a responsibility to pay a fair price to primary and secondary producers, all of whom are significant local employers, taking into account increased input costs which include UK welfare standards.”
Stuart Stables of Grasmere Farm, Deeping St James which rears pigs and processes the meat said: “In the last three months feed prices have been going up and up, pig farmers have to accept what they’re offered and most supermarkets won’t pay a penny more than they can get products for abroad.
“Unfortunately people may say they prefer to buy British but when they’re in the shop they’ll go for cheaper offers.”
A Morrisons spokesman said: “We will continue to sell only British fresh pork. All our own brand sausages are also from British pork.”