Prime Minister told focus less on Peppa Pig, more on the pig industry
Gordon MP Richard Thomson wants the Prime Minister to do more to help farmers, and especially those working with pigs.
North East MP Richard Thomson has said the Prime Minister should focus less on Peppa Pig and more on helping relieve the pressure on the pig sector and local producers.
The Gordon MP’s comments come after he wrote to the Prime Minister last month following a meeting with local farmers and a visit to a pig farm to see at first hand the issues affecting the sector.
In his letter, Mr Thomson called for intervention from the Prime Minister to address the labour shortages caused by the UK Government’s policy on migrant workers and requested action to avoid a mass cull of healthy pigs. An apology for the PM’s crass comments on the subject of a pig cull was also sought.
The MP says he hasn't had a response from the PM, and instead his request has been pushed to junior Ministers.
Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said:
“Everyone deserves a family life and I am pleased the Prime Minister and his young family enjoyed their visit to Peppa Pig World so much.
“However, instead of regaling a bemused audience at the CBI Conference with how fantastic a place Peppa Pig World is, much more useful would have been some detail on what the Prime Minister is going to do in the real world where our pig producers, meat processors and other sectors continue to face labour shortages due to his government’s policies.
“The measures outlined by the Minister of State at DEFRA represent a very small step towards what those affected are asking for. 800 temporary butchers able to enter the UK to work for six months is neither attractive to the people we need to attract, nor is it going to solve the long-terms issues here.
“The Prime Minister needs to focus less on Peppa Pig and more on the real world of Scottish farming.”