Worker shortages leave UK farms with 70,000 surplus pigs

[Still Waters]

Britain’s pig producers are warning that as many as 70,000 extra animals are stranded on UK farms as a result of shortages of workers at abattoirs and meat-processing plants.

The excess numbers of pigs on UK farms is growing by 15,000 each week, with about a quarter fewer pigs leaving for slaughter than would be expected in normal times, according to the industry trade body the National Pig Association (NPA).

Pigs that are ready for slaughter but are stuck on farms require feeding and housing, causing difficulties for farmers. These large pigs are growing by about a kilo a day, according to the NPA.

“I am getting calls every day from members saying we are in a mess,” said Zoe Davies, the chief executive of the NPA.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/worker-shortages-leave-uk-farms-with-70000-surplus-pigs

[SHaYap]

Maybe those fox hunting dogs won't mind a bit of a work out... 

~

[Silver]

16 hours ago, Still Waters said:

Britain’s pig producers are warning that as many as 70,000 extra animals are stranded on UK farms as a result of shortages of workers at abattoirs and meat-processing plants.

The excess numbers of pigs on UK farms is growing by 15,000 each week, with about a quarter fewer pigs leaving for slaughter than would be expected in normal times, according to the industry trade body the National Pig Association (NPA).

Pigs that are ready for slaughter but are stuck on farms require feeding and housing, causing difficulties for farmers. These large pigs are growing by about a kilo a day, according to the NPA.

“I am getting calls every day from members saying we are in a mess,” said Zoe Davies, the chief executive of the NPA.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/worker-shortages-leave-uk-farms-with-70000-surplus-pigs

There is a crisis brewing in the UK. Shortages and inflation. All self-induced.

Brexit introduced red tape as we left the single market as well as making the UK unattractive for the workers we need. The government told the transport leaders last week:"The British people repeatedly voted to end free movement and take back control of our immigration system and employers should invest in our domestic workforce instead of relying on labour from abroad".Lorry drivers: Act now to avert crisis, government told - BBC News

At least the government is starting to be honest about what Brexit was about- not about "unleashing Britain's potential and creating opportunities", but about ending immigration. But like all industrial nations we need immigrants to keep our economy ticking over. Demographically, we are an aging nation. Our care homes can't provide a labour force. 

Not only do we have shortages in transport; fish processors, agricultural workers, warehouse workers, have all left the UK and are reluctant to return.

Who are these people who make up our domestic workforce? Children? People on disability benefit? Pensioners? Good luck with that.

We are also told that the UK is not alone,that it is due to Covid, that there are 400,000 vacancies in the EU as well. But if you divide 400,000 by 27 you get 15,000 per country. 

All countries are adversely affected by Covid, but the UK is the only country to voluntarily make its situation 10x worse.

The idiot Brexiter John Redwood (a Sir, no less, and supposedly an able economist as he has his finger in many financial pies) Tweeted yesterday: Business can solve the driver shortage by raising wages and improving working conditions. Just recruit and train some more.

Well, thank you, John. He was of course met with a barrage of derision, from Deborah Meaden amongst others.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2021 by The Silver Shroud

[Essan]

I'm doing my bit.  Got British pork for my Sunday roast this week  

[Still Waters]

Immigration rules temporarily lifted on foreign butchers to prevent mass pig cull