JIM HUME DEMANDS HELP FOR PIG FARMERS

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Mar 2008

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has today spoken out for pig farmers in Scotland as pig farmers from Scotland join the rally in Westminster protesting against falling pork prices.

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Environment Committee has invited pig farmers to give evidence to MSPs next month.

Jim Hume said:-

“I am not surprised that there is a mass rally of pig farmers today.  The industry was devastated by foot and mouth and government compensation for pig farmers has hardly been forthcoming.  This combined with rocketing feed prices and falling pork prices has pushed the industry into crisis.

“Feed prices have doubled over the past year and the National Pig Association estimates that pig farmers face an average loss of £26 on every pig they produce.

“Together with my colleague, Jeremy Purvis MSP, and other rural MSPs in Holyrood, I have been working in the Scottish Parliament to secure support for pig farmers.  I hope that the Rural Affairs Secretary takes up the invitation to attend next month’s evidence session for pig farmers, so he can hear firsthand and take action to combat the difficulties these farmers are facing.”