PIG INDUSTRY GIVES EVIDENCE TO MSPs
April 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has today demanded fair treatment for Scotland's struggling pig farmers following representations to the Rural Affairs Committee from pig industry representatives.
Jim Hume said:
"I was extremely disappointed to hear from the Environment Secretary an admission that the SNP have failed even to try to construct a compensation package for pig farmers in Scotland which would have been approved by Europe.
"Despite finding £19 million out of a total compensation package of £25 million for the sheep farmers devastated by foot and mouth, Government has found nothing for pig farmers.
"Given this admission, it would have been an uncomfortable experience for the Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary to sit and listen to farmers describing the many problems plaguing their industry.
"In the Committee, however, he failed to show any evidence that he was taking any real initiative to help the industry. This was a situation where the Cabinet Secretary was explaining what he couldn't do, rather than what he could do.
The MSP continued:-
"Rocketing feed prices, falling pork prices and the devastating impact of the foot and mouth outbreak have pushed the industry into crisis. It's an outrage that the SNP is failing to take action."
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