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The FRSEA (la Fédération Régionale des Syndicas d'Exploitants Agricoles; French Union) and young farmers from the Loire region of France have issued a communiqué promising new union actions from pork producers over coming days. This follows actions carried out earlier in the year aimed at securing a living wage for the region's pork producers.

The farmers explain in their communiqué that, “We must come out of this crisis on top, that is to say by ensuring producers can earn a living wage. Pig farmers will not le ave it to others to decide their fate.” 

These declarations come following actions over the past few weeks wherein protesting farmers carried out ‘stop and searches’ on “lorries supplying meat-curers, catering or supermarkets.” 

The unions explain that they have come to realise, “a proportion of meat carries non-existent or insufficient documentation about its origin.” They conclude that, “The truth is this; much of the meat consumed in France is produced abroad and to lower sanitary and environmental standards. This is not acceptable.” 

The FRSEA and young farmers unions hammer home their point, demanding, “that all pig meat produced in France be recognisable by its VPF (Viande de Porc Française; French Pork) stamp. They ask curers, caterers and distributers to accord preference to meat stamped VPF.”

The Champagne Ardenne region’s FRSEA has backed the Loire farmers, saying, “The idea of French meat that is not stamped is outrageous given the efforts producers go to in order to ensure traceability; it would be highly abnormal if meat produced in France did not carry the logo.”   

Furthermore, the union demands that, “All products that meet these specifications, whether they be fresh meat or charcuteries, must be stamped VPF or that mention be made of whether they are products of France or elsewhere. The VPF or ‘elsewhere’ logo should be visible to the consumer on all products.”   

NFU Scotland makes moves to support Scottish producers

The news that French unions are acting to secure a living wage for producers comes as BPEX and the NPA (National Pig Association) announce that press coverage of their rally in Westminster of 3^rd March has reached over 57 million people.

The organisations are counting the rally as a great success in raising awareness and support for Britain’s pork producers. National Pig Association General Manager Barney Kay said, "The rally was a phenomenal success and demonstrates the strength of feeling in the pig industry.”

NFU Scotland also called yesterday (17^th March) for the Government to provide a supermarket adjudicator to limit the power of supermarkets, a move which won the support of  Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lockhead.

The call was part of a wider strategy aimed at alleviating pressure on the pig sector caused by the rising price of raw materials. John Picken, the union’s vice-president, said, “Scottish pig producers have been producing pigmeat products to higher welfare standards than most other EU member states, but the extra cost of this is not being recognised in the price being paid at farmgate level.”