‘Don’t let Brexit obliterate us’: Pig farmers protest at Tory conference amid cull warning

4 October 2021, 15:00

A pig farmer protests outside the Conservative Party conference on Monday
A pig farmer protests outside the Conservative Party conference on Monday. Picture: Getty

By James Morris

Farmers dressed in pig costumes have protested outside the Conservative Party conference amid warnings that more than 100,000 pigs could be culled.

Pig farmers have demanded a temporary visa scheme to bring more butchers to the UK and avoid an “emotional and financial disaster”.

Farmers have argued butcher shortages could see up to 120,000 animals slaughtered on farms and then incinerated, because they cannot go to the abattoir and have nowhere left to house them.

In the protest outside the conference in Manchester this morning, one farmer held a placard reading: “Don’t let Brexit obliterate us, Boris.”

Consumers may have to go without 'decorated hams or pigs in blankets'

Another placard read: “Pulled pork not culled pork.”

Pig vet Duncan Berkshire, who was taking part in the protest, called for the government to provide visas of up to 18 months to “unleash” the “bottleneck” of animals.

Vicky Scott, a pig farmer from East Yorkshire, said ministers “don't appear to understand the problem”, adding “if we have to kill pigs on farm they can't go into the food chain. So it's just a huge waste.”

Protesters outside the Tory conference called for a visa scheme to bring more butchers to the UK
Protesters outside the Tory conference called for a visa scheme to bring more butchers to the UK. Picture: Getty

Boris Johnson appeared to be unaware of the problem when he was questioned on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show yesterday.

His initial response was to tell the presenter: "I hate to break it to you but I am afraid our food processing industry does involve the killing of a lot of animals. I think your viewers need to understand that."

Read more: PM won't rule out Christmas shortages saying it's up to industries to solve supply crisis

When it was pointed out to him the whole problem was that they could not be sold for food and they would have to be disposed of on the farms, he accused the presenter of "trying to obfuscate".

The prime minister added: "The great hecatomb of pigs that you describe has not yet taken place, let's see what happens."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israel has launched the largest strikes on Gaza since the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, killing and injuring dozens while promising 'increasing military force'.

Israel launches 'extensive' deadly strikes on Gaza, which Hamas says indicate 'unilateral end to ceasefire'

Badenoch is expected to drop the party’s commitment to net zero, which the UK is legally required to reach by 2050, in a speech on Tuesday.

UK net zero target by 2050 is ‘impossible’ without bankrupting Britain, says Kemi Badenoch

John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway, the last surviving pilot that served in the Battle of Britain, has passed away at the age of 105.

Last surviving Battle of Britain pilot John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway dies aged 105

A selection of credit cards in a fan.

Almost 20,000 Civil Service credit cards to be frozen in government plans to halve number of cards and cut spending

MPs have been urged to support moves to ban smacking and other forms of physical punishment against children in England.

Ministers urged to back law change which will see smacking children to punish them banned

Polling station at Deptford Park School.

Russian networks tried to disrupt UK election but did not cause ‘notable’ impact, security minister says

IKEA store in Vilnius, Lithuania

Russian spies accused of firebombing Ikea store ‘because colours are the same as the Ukraine flag’

Facial recognition will be used to help passengers skip passport queues at ports.

British travellers arriving back in UK could 'avoid passport queues' with new facial recognition technology

The White House said Trump is ‘determined’ to get a peace deal in Ukraine over the line, as the US president gears up for talks for Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

‘We’ve never been closer to a peace deal’ in Ukraine, says White House ahead of Trump-Putin talks

A prison officer walks down the C wing at Wandsworth prison.

Number of prisoners reaches six-month high, despite thousands being released early to ease overcrowding

Richard Burrows, 80, was found guilty of 54 offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday, including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child.

Paedophile scout leader who spent 27 years on the run found guilty of dozens child sex abuse crimes

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as Us attacks on Houthis continue

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as US attacks on Houthis continue

Owen Cooper (l) and Stephen Graham (r) star in Adolescence

Revealed: Secret behind incredible camera shot in Netflix's new 'masterpiece' Adolescence

Drag star The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, their family said today

Drag star The Vivienne died from cardiac arrest caused by taking ketamine, family say

Irish professional mixed martial artist and businessman Conor McGregor visited the White House on Monday.

‘He doesn’t reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day’: Row erupts after Conor McGregor appears in The White House

`

Man who shouted 'Die, die, die' while stabbing man in quiet street in broad daylight sentenced to life