National Pig Association THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets & caterers - fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry.

At this time of year we expect to be pulling pigs forward, but we can't even get the contract numbers in, leave alone get some pulled forward."

Producers fear a huge backlog of pigs will build up on farms over Christmas, depressing prices well into the New Year. They are angered that despite strong continental prices the British has price has stagnated at what should be the best time of year, with no signs of a reappearance of the British premium.

And they are mystified retailers seem to be "singing off the same hymn sheet" as one trader put it this afternoon. An increasing number of pig producers are calling for a campaign of retail distribution centre shut-downs.

NPA chairman Stewart Houston has told Tulip boss Carsten Jakobsen he wants an early meeting with him. At a meeting with a Danske Slagterier representative in Brussels this week, NPA Producer Group vice-chairman Simon Watchorn accused the Danes of dumping loins on the British market.

Source: National Pig Association - 12th November 2004