Video: Labour shortage is ‘final straw’ for pig farmer

An award-winning pig producer is culling his entire 140-sow herd due to low prices, rising costs and an acute labour shortage.

Other farmers have warned that they will take similar action – with as many as 120,000 pigs slaughtered due to the crisis affecting the industry.

Suffolk farmer Peter Mortimer, of Fir Tree Farm, Metfield, started keeping pigs in 1964.

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During the past 50 years, he has run a successful business, won numerous livestock awards and is well respected by other farmers.

But Mr Mortimer is sending his sows to be culled because he is losing £10-15 for every pig sold.

He says he is losing money because of a labour shortage and rising costs – including a lack of abattoir workers, increases in haulage fees, veterinary bills and feed prices.

Mr Mortimer says the final straw came when he tried to recruit two new employees for his business – only to find there were no applicants.