NPA and NFU Scotland call for foodservice sector to back British pork

The NPA and NFU Scotland have joined forces to call for a clear commitment from the UK’s foodservice sector to use more British pork and for greater transparency in companies’ sourcing policies.

Pig farmers across the UK are currently enduring a very difficult period, driven by an imbalance of supply and demand, combined with sustained low EU pig prices, adding to the pressure on domestic prices. At the same time, input prices have rising due to the war in the Middle East.

Things have come to a head in recent weeks, with many independent producers being given notice on contracts by their processor.

While there is always room for improvement, retailers’ support for British pigmeat has remained relatively stable, with some actually publicly stating their desire to source more British pork. This is backed by retail sales data and industry surveys.

However, it is a very different story as far as foodservice is concerned. The companies supplying our restaurants and food outlets have always been far more reliant on imports than our retailers, largely driven by price. A lack of transparency means the true picture is difficult to establish.

AHDB’s GB pork foodservice purchases dashboard shows foodservice pigmeat volumes declined by 3.5% year-on-year in the 52 weeks to March 22, driven primarily by a decline in takeaways. However, while the data breaks down volume and price trends by category, no data is available on purchases of British versus imported product.

Robust commitment

NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “The pig sector is going through an incredibly difficult time at the moment, with many independent producers, once again, fighting for their futures.

“There are no easy solutions but one thing that would definitely help give producers confidence to continue is a robust commitment from the foodservice sector to back British pork – and shout about it to their customers.

“We need to address this complete lack of transparency about where these companies source their pork products. The British public deserve better.

“We also understand the pressures the catering sector is under – and the temptation posed by cheaper imports. We are not suggesting that all imports must be replaced by British pork – just that this important sector can do a lot better.

“We know the great British public is right behind our farming industry and wants to support it. Currently, it is not being given the opportunity to do so by the foodservice sector.”

NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said: “Scottish pig producers are facing an unprecedented crisis, with many receiving prices well below the cost of production and sustaining losses in excess of £1,000 per sow.

“For a typical farm, that can mean annual losses exceeding £500,000. Without urgent and coordinated action, we risk seeing further herd reductions and producers leaving the sector, which would have serious consequences for the resilience of our domestic pork supply chain.

“Our ShelfWatch work continues to demonstrate the important role retailers can play in supporting Scottish agriculture. Where retailers prioritise Scottish sourcing, clearly identify Scottish products and give consumers the opportunity to buy local, it provides a vital route to market for our producers and helps strengthen domestic food production.

“We’re calling on all food system players, including the important foodservice sector, to play their part by strengthening their commitment to domestic sourcing and supporting Scottish producers.”

A call for support

With this in mind, NPA and NFUS are calling for a number of measures from foodservice suppliers, restaurants, the government and consumers:

For foodservice companies:

• Buy more British pork – work with the supply chain to explore the wide range of excellent value-for-money cuts out there that could replace imports.
• Be more transparent – consumers deserve more information about where their pork products come from so they can make informed choices.

For restaurants and food outlets:

• Ask for British– we’d like to see more food outlets actively seeking British pork.
• Menu transparency – we’d like to see more food outlets proudly displaying where their food comes from on menus.

For consumers:

• Ask where your food has come from – consumers can make a huge difference, too. When you’re eating out or buying your takeaway, ask where it’s from and make it clear you prefer British.

For government:

• Back British – we want to see governments in Westminster and Holyrood make more effort to Back British farmers with their public procurement strategies.

Massive opportunity

Lizzie added: “There is a massive opportunity for the pig sector to provide more of our fantastic pork products for restaurants and food outlets. Everyone can win out of this – farmers, the supply chain, the foodservice sector, itself and, ultimately, consumers.”

Andrew said: “Clear, consistent demand for Scottish and British pork is essential to restore confidence, maintain critical mass in the supply chain and secure a sustainable future for this vital sector.”