News Farmers take pig protest to London
Farmers from the East Riding were among 500 UK farmers who converged on Westminster to register their anger about the state of the Britush pig industry.
The farmers - who were joined by a nine-year-old pig called Winnie - held the rally outside New Labour's power base last Tuesday, March 4.
In addition to the protest, a petition of more than 13,000 names was presented to Downing Street.
The aim was to rally more support for the ailing British pig industry, which farmers warn is on the verge of collapse.
The placard-waving protesters called for more backing from MPs over the price of pork as they tried to raise awareness of the plight facing the pig industry.
Farmers say they are facing an uphill struggle just to survive because increasing feed costs have coincided with their get letting money for pig products.
Richard Longthorp, who runs Kilpin Hall Farm near Howden, was one of hundreds of farmers attending the rally.
He said farmers were not looking for any special treatment, adding: "All we are asking for is a fairer share. Prices are going up but we're not getting a share of it. If things don't change we'll see a lot of farmers going out of business."
Two weeks before the rally Mr Longthorp and 20 other UK farmers recorded a song called Stand by your Ham at studios in London as part of the British-pork campaign.
The ditty, sung to the tune of Tammy Wynette's country classic Stand by your Man, eulogises the British pig industry.
According to the British Pig Executive, prices have doubled over the past year and farmers are now losing more than £20 on every pig raised.
Published on 13th March 2008 in News.
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