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DiscussPig farmers, currently losing around £20 per animal, will take to Whitehall for the 'Pigs are Worth It' rally, which has been organised by the National Pig Association (NPA).
Winnie the Pig, who became famous during a three-month protest in 2000, will return to Parliament Square for the first time since that protest for today's rally, which will also be attended by National Farmers' Union (NFU) President Peter Kendall.
Stewart Houston, British Pig Executive (BPEX) chairman, said: 'We have reached crisis point. Without an increase, farmers stand to lose approximately £200 million in the next year and many face the prospect of going out of business. Then consumers will lose the choice to buy higher welfare Quality Standard Mark pork, bacon and ham.'
'Stand By Your Ham', a special single recorded for the occasion, will be sung as a 10,000-strong petition is presented to Number 10 at noon.
Richard Bacon MP said: 'Saving the British pig has to be a priority for MPs from all parties. The British pig industry has the highest animal welfare standards and that's something we should be supporting.'
Pig farmers are asking for an increase of 7-17 pence per pack of pork products carrying the Quality Standard Mark, which will then be passed down directly to the farmers.
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Barney Kay, NPA General Manager, said: 'We simply cannot wait until later in the year for better prices.'
Lyrics, 'Stand by Your Ham':
Right now it's hard to make a living
Rearing all your pigs for pork and Ham
Supermarkets make all the money
We don’t make any money
And that’s quite hard to understand
But if they gave us a little more money
Gave us farmers, a fairer share.
Coz we take good care of our pigs
We’re so proud of them
To us they’re more than pork and ham
Stand by your ham.
Sau-sa-ges, Pork And Bacon
Help us to stay in business
Because, our pigs, are worth it.
Stand by your ham.
Sau-sa-ges, Pork And Bacon
Keep givin' all the help you can
Stand by your ham
So if you love your British breakfast
The crackling on your Sunday roast
Keep asking for local produce
We work hard to bring it to you
Look for our Mark on pork and ham
Stand by your ham.
Sau-sa-ges, Pork And Bacon
Help us to stay in business
Because, our pigs, are worth it.
Stand by your ham.
Sau-sa-ges, Pork And Bacon
Look for the Mark whenever you can
Stand by your ham
Stand by your ham.
Sau-sa-ges, Pork And Bacon
Look for the Mark whenever you can
Stand by your ham
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