NPA Unveils ‘Wall of Shame’ for Food Manufacturers

The National Pig Association (NPA) has set up a website which will list companies that have and haven’t made a commitment to the public, known as the ‘Wall of Fame and Shame’.

Most EU countries have failed to comply with the new law that bans the prolonged confinement of sows in stalls, and as many as 40,000 pigs an hour are being delivered to continental processing plants from illegally-operated pig farms.

Dr Zoe Davies, general manager for the NPA, said, “As Britain imports around 60% of its processed pork it is inevitable that many consumers are unwittingly supporting this unacceptable European trade in illegally-farmed pigs. Shoppers must be told which British retailers and food companies they can trust not to take part in this trade. [Food manufacturers] must be absolutely certain the bacon, sausages, ham, pizzas and other processed pork they sell do not come from farms that are flouting European animal welfare law.”

John Rowbottom, a pig farmer from Yorkshire, added, “If Brussels cannot police its own rules, then British pig farmers will have to do the job for them. British consumers are being sold pork products from continental farms that are operating illegally. It’s a gross breach of animal welfare, it is unfair on consumers and it is unfair on British farmers, because it distorts fair trade.”

To view the ‘Wall of Fame and Shame’, visit www.npa-uk.org.uk.