With the exception of chicken, we eat more pork than any other meat. However, nearly 70% of pork products sold in the UK contain pork imported from EU countries whose rearing practices are cheaper, but illegal here. Pig numbers have declined by half in the last 10 years and without government action on this and other food issues, it is difficult to see a way forward.

Part of the problem has been increased feed costs, but mainly it has been down to retailer muscle. Between November 2010 and January 2011 UK pig farmers lost £35 million, the pork processors made £100 million and the supermarkets made £192 million on pork products.

In the present circumstances it would take a very brave person to go into intensive pig farming, unless they had a retail outlet.

However, for the smaller free-range producer, there is the perfect opportunity to use the Field Science system. By applying a tailor-made trace element dressing to the field in which feed crops of cereals, for example, are grown ensures that the pigs’ diets are nutrient-balanced.