Pig farms could soon disappear from Scotland, farmers have warned, as falling prices mean they are now losing money on every animal they rear.
In the past four months alone, the number of pigs being raised around the country has shrunk by 10 per cent as farmers try to shield themselves from further financial losses.
Now the body representing farmers has issued a stark warning that, unless there is urgent action from government, retailers and consumers, a key sector of Scottish agriculture could be lost for ever - threatening not only an age-old industry, but also jeopardising a significant part of the nation’s food supply.
Farmers are pinning on their hopes on a Scotland-wide advertising campaign - due to be launched next month - which will encourage shoppers to buy more Scottish-reared bacon, chops and joints of pork.
Andrew Connon, President of the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), said: ‘Scotland’s pig sector is under severe and sustained pressure, with producers facing ongoing financial losses that are now driving rapid herd reduction.
‘The sector is now at a critical point. Without urgent action on pricing, fairness and market structure, Scotland risks irreversible loss of production capacity.’
NFUS estimated that around 10 per cent of the Scottish herd has been lost since the start of the year, as farmers have been forced to cull breeding sows due to weak demand.
The union explained that economics of pig farming are ‘increasingly unsustainable’, with the cost of rearing each animal calculated at around £1.88 per kg - while farmers are being paid as little as £1.52 per kg.
The number of pigs being raised around Scotland has shrunk by 10 per cent in the past four months
For an average farmer with a 500-strong herd of pigs, the accumulated loss could reach up to £500,000 a year.
Mr Connon said that, if the industry shrinks any further, recovery will be ‘increasingly difficult if not impossible.’
NFU Scotland is asking retailers and food processors to help ensure farmers receive an increased price for their product, and is also calling on the Scottish government to provide urgent assistance for pig farmers, as well as promoting Scottish pork at every level of the public sector, including schools.
Last week, public body Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) unveiled a new rebranded logo called ‘Prime Scottish Pork’ to reinforce the meat’s local provenance, nutritional benefits and high standards.
The rebrand will be supported by a Scotland-wide consumer marketing campaign across TV, billboards and social media running between June and August
Emma Heath, QMS Director of Marketing, said: ‘The Prime Scottish Pork rebrand is about giving our pork sector the strongest possible platform for the future.
'As one of the top three shopper motivations when buying red meat, alongside animal welfare and being quality assured, our research tells us that provenance matters deeply to Scottish shoppers, and this evolution allows us to tell the Scottish pork story more clearly, more confidently and more consistently alongside Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb.’