TUV leader Jim Allister raised the differential in local pig prices with that prevailing in GB, during Questions to the Agriculture minister in Stormont, suggesting there was price fixing among the processors.
Mr Allister put to the minister “The Minister will be aware of the great concern among pig producers as to the huge disparity that arises between the price paid in Northern Ireland and the price paid in GB. A differential of 4p or 5p per kilo might be understandable, given the transport costs, but, when it reaches something of the order of 18p, there has to be another explanation. The processors themselves have been far from transparent about it. What does the Minister think that the explanation is, if it is not suppression of the price for mutual benefit among processors?”
Whereas, the minister said she had no evidence of price fixing, she had no alternative explanation to offer.
Commenting Jim Allister said, “Local pigmeat processors have totally failed to explain the pricing gap and, frankly, have been far from transparent on this issue. It is hard not to conclude that what is afoot here is an organised suppression of prices offered, with great resulting detriment to the industry. As Jonathan Cuddy, UFU Pork and Bacon Chairman, recently observed, how is ‘Going for Growth’ to be turned into reality if local processors are not living up to the expectation of providing a transparent and fair supply chain for the delivery of industry growth.
“Long term damage is being done to the pig industry, which ultimately will serve neither the interests of producer or processor. It’s time to play fair by our producers. Local producers meet the same exacting standards as GB, but are being short changed at the factory gate. This cannot go on.”