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Get your free copy24 January 2011, 21:56 PM
- Soaring wheat costs are causing concern as many consumers may start buying imported meat over British varieties.
Experts are predicting that the current shortage of wheat is expected to lead to a huge hike in prices during 2011, causing problems for British Farmers who use wheat-based grain to feed their animals.
Anna Longthorp, owner of Anna’s Happy Trotters believes there is a danger that British meat producers could suffer irreparably as consumers choose cheaper imported meat instead. She explains, “Being free range we’re more exposed to weather conditions and pigs need to eat more to keep warm and therefore need to eat more to grow.”
Ultimately, the price hikes felt by the farmers will be passed on to the consumer, as the price of British meat in supermarkets and independents will soar.
British Pig Executive Boss Mick Sloyan said: “The UK pig industry had been operating at a disadvantage in recent years owing to the disparity between welfare standards in the UK and Continental Europe.”
In order to support British Farmers, consumers should look for the red tractor on produce in supermarkets which confirms it is British.
If demand for home-produced meat increases supermarkets will be willing to pay more to support our local farmers at this important time.
