"It is sad the Adams family has felt the need to sell, because the company has been a beacon of quality British production for more years than I know about. It must have been a very difficult decision," said Mr Houston.

He is now seeking reassurance that Geo. Adams' commitment to British product will remain and in particular for supply contracts to the Co-op, Budgens and M&S, who along with Waitrose, are the four main supporters of British pig production.

London bound with a clear message
And the supermarkets are top of the target list be told about the latest pig industry census results. The figures will be shown to supermarket leaders when pig industry representatives visit London next Tuesday, said BPISG this morning. The group wants action and is urging producers to take part.

Three months, then out...
Also, an early analysis of census results by BPEX's Andrew Knowles, so far shows that a third of producers have drawn a three-month line in the sand. After this date, many will quit pig production unless prices have not improved to cover increased feed costs.

Brakes are on side
Good news on the price front as leading food service company Brakes says it will pay more for British pork. The initial increase will be about ten percent, which could find its way to producers from November.

Stewart Houston has written to McDonalds and other major food service companies - enclosing a copy of BPEX's "Pig Feed Report" - urging them to do follow suit.