British retailer Waitrose has vowed to step-up the price paid to farmers in order to help pig producers get through the current crisis.
Waitrose will be implementing a base rate to ensure farmers are not left out of pocket with the falling pig price.
Waitrose senior agriculture manager Jake Pickering said the retailer has always had a strong sense of right and wrong, particularly when it comes to animal welfare.
However, Mr Pickering added: “But it’s not just our animal welfare standards that we take pride in – equally important is the welfare and livelihoods of our farmers, which is why we always strive to pay a fair price for what they produce.”
Setting out the problems the pig industry faces, Mr Pickering said a shortage of skilled workers combined with increased difficulties in exporting has left pig farmers with a growing backlog of pigs.
“While some have taken this as an opportunity to offer price cuts and promotions, and while this might help with the backlog in the short term, a longer-term strategy is going to be needed over the next three months,” he said.
“Our farmers not only deserves our recognition but our backing, too – particularly through the tough times, just as they have stood by us to deliver food on our plates through a global pandemic.”
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