Calls for Pork Imports to be Reduced

There are also calls for more environmentally-friendly farming and ensuring Britain remains a high-welfare pig producing country.

British farms currently only produce 40% of the UK’s pork and pork products, with the rest being imported from countries where pigs are generally produced more intensively.

The NPA wants to see this increase to 50%, but says this can only happen if pig farmers have the confidence to replace older buildings and modernise equipment – something which local residents are sometimes opposed to.

The association says some pressure groups are using research carried out in high density European farms and claiming a relevance to Britain, where pig farming is predominantly low density.

Dr Zoe Davies, general manager of the NPA, said, “We understand that some people would like to see a return to smaller-scale subsistence farming and we respect their right to express this view. And we understand some groups may feel a need to create alarm in order to raise funds, but we do ask that they refrain from misrepresenting modern commercial husbandry which has much to commend in terms of economic viability, protection of the environment and animal welfare.”