The Soil Association are mounting a campaign against factory farming of pigs. I had noticed that pork was becoming extremely cheap in the supermarkets, even the stuff with the Red Tractor logo, and it looks as though there's a reason.
Campaign here: http://www.soilassociation.org/notinmybanger/jointhecampaign (http://www.soilassociation.org/notinmybanger/jointhecampaign)
and a very good blogpost explaining the economics here: http://ploverha.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/a-little-squeak/ (http://ploverha.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/a-little-squeak/)
I just wouldn't buy pork if we started factory farming pigs in the UK.
When I go shopping now, I always buy British pork and never that from the Continent. I saw a programme on TV about pigs that were in overcrowded conditions and weren't even allowed to lay down to have their young or feed their off spring. It was filmed either in Denmark or the Netherlands but I believe many countries farm that way now. I really hope Britain doesn't start following these inhumane practices.
It is so lovely to see pigs out in the fields running free.
I came across this YouTube video showing how some pigs are kept on the Continent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE7ClrgFHsw
Ii's not just the pork, I will only buy pork products direct from a farmer because I sure that imported pate, spicy sausage etc will be from pigs kept like this. We make own pizza now as the bought ones have salami on.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention- anything to improve animal welfare is good.
Thanks for the post Melbourne12. Pigs are intelligent sentient creatures that are raised in physical and emotional torment. I've been vegetarian for almost half my life now and I'm grateful for this Soil Association campaign.
i breed and eat my own pigs and they roam free and have a very good life, would never have pork from supermarket