CELEBRITY CHEFS BACK BRITISH BACON

The F word star branded it a “complete disgrace” that the future of British pig farming is in jeopardy.

The industry has warned that farmers lose about £26 for every pig sold for slaughter.

Rick Stein and Tom Aikens are among the other top chefs backing Waitrose Food Illustrated’s Save our Bacon campaign which launched today.

Mr Ramsay said: “It’s British pig farmers who produce the world’s best pork and it’s a complete disgrace that their future is in jeopardy.

“That’s why I’m giving my backing to the Save our Bacon campaign.”

Waitrose is urging shoppers to buy British bacon and pork to support farmers.

It also wants other retailers to stock more British pork and bacon instead of imports.

The British Pig Executive (Bpex) said wholesale grain costs had doubled in the past year which has pushed up the cost of feeding pigs.

Speaking at the Save our Bacon campaign launch in London today, Waitrose MD Mark Price said 60 per cent of bacon sold across all UK retailers was imported.

He urged shoppers to look for British bacon in all stores, not just Waitrose.

Mr Price said: “When you go to Sainsbury’s or Tesco or Asda what you should be doing it looking at the label on your bacon. The one that says British country of origin, that is the one you should be buying.

“It might cost you a few pence more but it tastes better and it is saving a national treasure.”

Television chef Rick Stein gave his backing to the campaign, saying: “I find it very sad to think that the British banger could become a luxury food item.

“The only way we can change this is to support the producers on our doorstep and be prepared to pay fairly for good food.”

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