The UK pig herd has fallen to its lowest level since 1952. The 2012 livestock census reports that pig numbers fell 2.4% to just over 4 million. Other European countries report a similar decline.
Britain's National Pig Association says a world shortage of pork and bacon next year is now unavoidable. But the BPA adds that British supermarkets can protect consumers from shortages and steep price rises if they pay Britain's loss-making pig farmers a fair price, to help them remain in production.
New data shows the European Union pig herd is declining at a significant rate, and this is a trend that is being mirrored around the world. Pig farmers have been plunged into loss by high pig-feed costs, caused by the global failure of maize and soya harvests.
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