Prices for pigs have fallen to their lowest level for eight years.

Midland Pig Producers enter into staff consultations

Low prices for pigmeat are putting pressure on one of the UK’s largest producers to close its farms.

Midland Pig Producers in Lichfield say that they have entered into consultations with staff at two of their 10 farms over plans to close the sites “due to the state of the current pig and pork meat market.”

Speaking to the Lichfield Mercury, a spokesperson for Midland Pig Producers said: “We can confirm that we have entered into a formal consultation period with staff regarding the potential closure of two of our pig breeding farms.

"Whilst regrettable, this aptly illustrates the current market for conscientiously produced British pork when faced with cheap imports from abroad.

"Our plans to restructure our own pig production to create a sustainable model have been well publicised and whilst the development of our purpose-designed farm has been delayed, it is still our intention to pursue this course of action."

The announcement comes as Farmgate prices for pigs fall to their lowest level for eight years.

The National Pig Association say that most pig keepers will be operating in the red for some of all of 2016, attributing the fall to the strength of the euro - making imported pork and bacon cheaper - and higher-welfare husbandry.

The two units under consideration for closure house around 1200 pedigree sows.  Although Midland Pig Producers say that “all efforts” will be made to relocate both personnel and sows at other farms, it is “likely that some jobs will be lost”.