"There is a 20 pence per kilo difference in the producer price available locally and in Great Britain at the present time," added Pro Pork chairman Trevor Shields.

"I could understand farmers here in Northern Ireland having to accept up to three pence of a difference, given that our pigmeat has to cross the Irish Sea. This week the average pig price available locally is in the region of 110 pence per kilo whereas in GB farmers are getting 130 pence.

"This is an unacceptable situation and I can only conclude that processers are using pigs produced in Northern Ireland as a source of cheap pork and bacon."

"Pigs produced in Northern Ireland meet the exact same production and management standards as those expected of farmers in the rest of the UK. What's more, locally produced pork and bacon sells for exactly the same price in retail outlets throughout England, Scotland and Wales as does product emanating from farms in GB."

Trevor Shields went on to point out that one local processer will be increasing its price to retailers by 40 pence per kilo next Monday morning, writes Farming Life.

Trevor Shields concluded: "If pig prices do not improve in the very near future, many local producers will have no option but to call it a day.

View the Farming Life story by clicking here.