News

Save Our Bacon

21 Feb 2008

An award-winning Scottish butcher today joins a host of top chefs and foodies in calling on Brits to ensure a fairer deal for struggling pig farmers.

Andrew Ramsay from Carluke, Lanarkshire joins a list of names including Gordon Ramsay (no relation), Jimmy Doherty, Rick Stein and Rosie Boycott, who are supporting Waitrose Food Illustrated’s Save Our Bacon campaign.

The campaign will raise public awareness about the struggles faced by many British pig farmers – who lose an average of £26 on every pig they sell.
Hardly surprising that, when surveyed, 95% of pig farmers said they are considering quitting the business.

Why should consumers care? From Gloucester Old Spot chops to Saddleback sausages, British pork is the best in the world and a staple of the national diet.

“It’s British pig farmers who produce the world’s best pork – it’s an absolute disgrace that their future is in jeopardy,” says Save Our Bacon supporter Gordon Ramsay.

Jane Clarke, Senior Waitrose Meat Buyer, said: “We believe in building long term relationships with our pork farmers and paying them a price that reflects the care and quality of the pigs they produce. This takes into account the cost of building a long term sustainable business partnership.

Stewart Houston, chairman of both the British Pig Executive and the National Pig Association, said: "At present, the pig industry is in danger of disappearing and we need to support of shoppers to buy home-produced pork, bacon and ham.

"This campaign gives the pig industry the backing it needs and will help to highlight the problems being faced, leading to improvements for all to create a fair return for the effort all put in."

Chefs, producers and leading food writers will be heading to Borough Market today, 21st February, for the official launch of Save Our Bacon at acclaimed British restaurant Roast. The campaign also launches in the March issue of Waitrose Food Illustrated, on sale 28th February.

Other leading chefs and foodies supporting Save Our Bacon include Angela Hartnett, Fergus Henderson, Michel Roux, Tom Parker-Bowles, Heston Blumenthal, Sir Terence Conran, Iqbal Wahhab, Tom Aikens, and Si King and Dave Myers - The Hairy Bikers.

Andrew Ramsay’s family firm has been producing its award-winning bacons and hams using a traditional Ayrshire cure since 1857. The pork comes from British outdoor reared pigs. “Without British pig farming, I don’t have a business,” says Andrew. “There’s no doubt British pork has the best welfare and is the highest quality, which is why I’m proud to support the Save Our Bacon campaign.”

Members of the public can join the campaign, sign the petition and pledge to buy British pork at a sustainable price, by visiting www.waitrose.com/saveourbacon or emailing saveourbacon@johnbrowngroup.co.uk.