Pigs may be culled because of staff shortages, meat industry warns

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thousands of healthy pigs may be culled if the government does not step in and tackle labour shortages at Britain’s slaughterhouses and processing plants, meat producers have warned. The National Pig Association estimated that around 70,000 pigs that should have already gone to slaughter remain on farms – with that number rapidly rising each week. Major meat processors have reduced the number of pigs they slaughter each week by about a quarter, the trade body said, due to a lack of staff. “The pigs need to be cared for and fed every day of the year, which makes staffing levels absolutely critical to the successful management and sustainability of their business.” Although a review of the shortage of occupation list, which sets out jobs where overseas workers can apply for visas, is not due until next year, several departments are pushing for it to be brought forward – and are reportedly being met with opposition from the Home Office, PA news agency understands.