2 Acknowledged

While the whole food and farming sector has suffered from labour shortages, the situation for...

Conclusion
While the whole food and farming sector has suffered from labour shortages, the situation for the pig sector has been particularly severe. Although the Government has taken measures to address the backlog of pigs on farms awaiting slaughter, the issue remains unresolved and the number of pigs being culled continues to rise. We were particularly disappointed by the Secretary of State’s attitude suggesting the current plight of pig farmers was simply the materialisation of a commercial risk for which businesses should be prepared. This ignores the covid-19 pandemic, for which nobody was prepared, but also the impact of the Government’s immigration policy. Since we took evidence, the sector has faced even greater pressure with feed prices rising as a consequence of the war in Ukraine.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the severity of the situation for the pig sector and outlines measures taken to address the backlog of pigs, including Private Storage Aid, Slaughter Incentive Payment Schemes, temporary visas, and seeking new export markets.
Paragraph Reference
20
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
The Government has worked closely with the pig industry to help them respond to the challenges caused by the pandemic, including the loss of exports to the Chinese market for certain pig processors, disruption to CO2 supplies, and a temporary shortage of labour in the processing sector. backing up on farms including Private Storage Aid, Slaughter Incentive Payment Schemes and temporary visas for skilled butchers. Defra are also working with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and other government departments to seek to both open new markets and to expand existing overseas markets. On 17 March 2022 Defra announced the opening of a new export market to Chile worth £20 million in the first 5 years of trade. The further extensions and amendments that Defra have recently made to the Private Storage Aid and Slaughter Incentive Payment Schemes have resulted in an increased uptake of both schemes, helping reduce the number of pigs backed up on farms. Defra does not currently plan to introduce financial support measures for pig farmers. more pigs, thereby reducing the backlog and the animal welfare impacts on farm is the most effective way of supporting farmers at this time. In recent months we have seen the backlog reduce from around 200,000 pigs at its highest point to around 25,000 currently. Moreover, the Government is committed to tackling the unfairness that can exist in the agri-food supply chain. We are planning to launch a public consultation in Summer 2022 exploring how fairness and transparency can be improved in the pork sector. As part of this consultation process, we will gather opinions about the role and effect of market consolidation on the sector. The Government will continue to work closely with the pork sector to discuss any supply chain issues and any actions taken will be developed alongside industry with the close involvement of stakeholders. Minister Prentis has also chaired two roundtables – on 10 February and 3 March 2022 - with pig industry representatives from across the UK to discuss the challenges that the sector has been facing in recent months. Labour shortages in the food and farming sector: Government response 3
Source
Committee Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry Labour shortages in the food and farming sector
Report Fourth report - Labour shortages in the food and farming sector 06 Apr 2022 HC 713
View on Parliament website
Timeline
Recommendation age 4.2 yrs
Report published 06 Apr 2022