Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Support for Pig Farmers

14 July 2026 · 12 other contributors · 9,023 words

Opened by Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan

Responding minister: Stephen Morgan

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Harriet Cross raised concerns about support for pig farmers in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The UK's pig industry is experiencing difficulties due to oversupply, stagnant European demand, rising costs, and biosecurity concerns.
  • The standard pig price has fallen by 15% from 208p to 178p per kilo since August 2025.
  • Scottish pig farmers have lost 5.7 million since January and face pressures with only one processor in Brechin.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Minister to commit to meeting the National Pig Association to discuss a substantial support package for the sector and to ensure that robust checks are put into place to prevent diseases like African swine fever from entering the UK.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan

The UK's pig industry is experiencing significant difficulties due to an oversupply of pigs, stagnant demand in Europe, rising costs, and biosecurity concerns. The standard pig price has fallen by 15% from about 208p per kilo in August 2025 to 178p per kilo now. Many producers are receiving significantly less than the average, sometimes as low as 130p to 140p per kilo, which is below their break-even point. Scottish pig farmers have lost £5.7 million since January and face even more acute pressures with just one processor in Brechin.

Other contributors (12)
  • Adam Dance

    He intervened, pointing out that small abattoirs are struggling due to inconsistent inspections and urged the Government for a clearer regulatory plan to streamline operations.

  • Aphra Brandreth

    The hon. Member made an important point about the need for consumers to be clear about where their food is produced and reared, drawing attention to her private Member's Bill on that topic. She highlighted the importance of biosecurity for pig farmers, noting that an outbreak could cost billions in damages. She questioned the adequacy of border controls and staff training regarding illegal meat imports from disease-prone countries. She called on the Minister to outline concrete steps being taken to address these issues.

  • Ben Goldsborough Con Norwich North

    Around one in five pigs are reared in Norfolk and Suffolk, supporting thousands of local jobs and a sector worth billions. Ben Goldsborough is concerned about the threat of African swine fever to pig farmers, noting it could cost the industry £100 million if it enters the UK. He questions whether customs checks should remain inland from ports for biosecurity reasons and asks what more can be done to ensure farmers use available schemes like the animal health and welfare pathway.

  • Brian Mathew Con Melksham and Devizes

    Independent pig farmers, such as Cameron Naughton, are losing about £5,000 per week due to declining market conditions. Operating high-welfare farms increases costs but does not lead to fairer prices for producers while consumer prices rise.

  • Danny Chambers

    Discussed biosecurity at the UK border, urging for better deterrents against illegal meat imports. Highlighted the pig industry's efforts to reduce antibiotic use and called for improved animal welfare standards and food labelling transparency.

  • Edward Morello Con West Dorset

    Pig farming is vital for West Dorset's economy and employs various local businesses. Farmers have faced price drops from 208p to 178p per kilogram, leading to losses of up to £50 per pig. Independent producers fear unsustainable conditions and are concerned about trade agreements weakening UK standards.

  • Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness

    He expressed concerns about the concentration of pig processing into a few major processors, which increases transport costs and reduces competition. The farmer in his constituency faces imminent contract issues leading to potential animal welfare crises and financial difficulties. He urged the Minister to intervene to ensure that every farmer has somewhere to process their pigs. Made a brief intervention, asking if pigs could be kicked around. The Minister is having a meeting tomorrow to address the pig farming crisis. He urged the Minister to ensure that no independent farmer is unable to have their pigs processed, suggesting that he use his influence to keep farmers from being left with backed-up pigs on their farms.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Championed the pig industry in Northern Ireland, noting its economic importance and challenges faced by farmers due to rising input costs. Emphasised the need for fair pricing from supermarkets and intervention to protect family farms.

  • John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

    John Lamont highlights the pressures facing Scottish pig producers due to low market prices, rising costs, processing constraints and import competition. He cites NFU Scotland data showing losses of around £2.7 million for independent producers in the first four months of this year alone. John urges the UK Government to urgently convene an industry roundtable and review fair dealing obligations.

  • Lee Pitcher Con Doncaster and Brightside and Hillsborough

    Pig farming is crucial in Yorkshire and the Humber, contributing £499 million to agricultural output. However, there are issues with misleading labels on processed pork products that do not reflect true origin, undermining British pig farmers.

  • Robbie Moore Con Newark

    The British pig sector contributes about £14 billion to the economy and is facing financial challenges due to oversupply, stagnant demand, falling European prices, factory disruptions, and rising costs. Over 100,000 pigs were backed up on farms earlier this year, with thousands of farmers seeing contracts terminated early by processors.

  • Terry Jermy Lab Norwich North

    The UK pig sector faces oversupply, stagnant demand, and falling EU prices. Independent producers are most affected by rising costs due to the conflict with Iran and disease risks like African swine fever. The National Pig Association anticipates a significant financial burden on farmers by November.

Government Response

Stephen Morgan

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I congratulate the hon. Member for Gordon and Buchan on securing this incredibly important debate, and on the constructive manner in which she contributed this afternoon. The pig sector is woven into the fabric of the UK's food system, sustaining rural communities and driving agricultural productivity across the country. However, the sector faces considerable pressure due to a range of economic and structural challenges including increased production, changing consumer patterns, and wider pressures in European pork markets, leading to excess supply. The Government will continue to engage with the industry as it responds to these challenges, meeting with the National Pig Association tomorrow to discuss current pressures. Section 21 powers under the Agriculture Act 2020 can be used for unforeseen short-term shocks but are not currently met due to different circumstances compared to 2021 when a substantial backlog of pigs on farm was cleared through increased processing capacity and other measures. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 aim to end unfair contract practices and ensure transparency, with enforcement by the agricultural supply chain adjudicator. Support is available to pig farmers in England through various pathways including £648 for vet on-farm visits, up to £1,087 for further testing and advice if farms have PRRS, and £50 million from the farming equipment and technology fund to improve animal health and welfare. The Government aims to create a productive, resilient, and profitable farming sector through innovation, improving animal health and welfare, strengthening fairness across supply chains, and ensuring farmers are better equipped for changing markets. Over £14 million has been provided since 2022 to the Port of Dover to prevent illegal movement of meat into England.

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