Graham has written to Farming Minister Stephen Morgan calling for immediate help for independent pig producers and inviting him to East Yorkshire to meet farmers and processors.
The letter follows Graham’s visit to Highfield Farm in Beverley and Holderness on 30 October, where he heard how uncertainty over contracts and pressure on farm incomes are affecting the family’s ability to keep producing food.
During the visit, the family and industry representatives explained that losing a contract does not mean a farmer can simply stop production. Pigs already on the farm continue to grow and need feeding and care, while the bills keep coming.
Graham is asking the minister what support will reach producers facing sustained losses and when decisions will be made on measures proposed by the National Pig Association.
He has also asked how the Government will protect slaughter capacity as it considers phasing out carbon dioxide stunning, and offered to arrange a visit so the minister can hear directly from East Yorkshire businesses.
Pig farming and slaughter are important parts of the economy in Beverley and Holderness. They support family farms, processing jobs at businesses such as Cranswick in Preston, and work for feed suppliers, vets, agricultural engineers and hauliers.
Graham says ministers must consider how their decisions affect that whole network of local businesses.
His Rural Survey has heard from farmers about fuel and fertiliser costs, paperwork, uncertainty over support and whether they can pass a viable business to the next generation.
He argues that Labour’s Family Farm Tax and the handling of the Sustainable Farming Incentive have added to those pressures.
In September, local farmers missed out when a £233 million SFI application window opened and closed in less than six hours. Graham wrote to the Environment Secretary, submitted four parliamentary questions and joined other MPs calling for farmers who missed out to be given a fair chance.
His latest letter also addresses the practical demands of changing animal welfare systems. The Pig Health and Welfare Council recognises the welfare problems associated with CO₂ stunning and supports a responsible transition. Industry representatives are calling for commercial-scale trials of alternatives and a realistic timetable that accounts for planning permission, installation downtime and staffing.
Graham wants welfare improvements delivered in a way that protects British food production and avoids greater reliance on imports.
Farmers and rural businesses can share their experiences through his Rural Survey at grahamstuart.com/RuralSurvey2026.
Graham said:
“At Highfield Farm, I heard directly what uncertainty means for a family working hard to keep producing food. Losing a contract does not stop the feed bills or the work of caring for the pigs.
“Farmers are being asked to absorb more costs, deal with more paperwork and keep investing. There is a limit to what any business can take.
“Labour’s Family Farm Tax and the handling of SFI have added to the uncertainty. Farmers need confidence to plan, invest and pass a viable business to the next generation.
“I’ve written to Stephen Morgan asking what immediate help will reach independent pig producers and when decisions will be made.
“I’ve also asked him to explain how changes to slaughter rules will work in practice. We should improve animal welfare, but farmers need somewhere to send their pigs, and processors need a timetable they can deliver.
“Pig farming and processing matter to Beverley and Holderness. These businesses support local jobs and help feed the country.
“I’ve invited the minister to East Yorkshire to meet farmers and processors and see these pressures for himself. Our area must not be forgotten when decisions about the future of British farming are made.”
