EAST Lancashire's lone Tory MP has found a novel place from which to address the nation - a pig sty on Parliament Square.

He joined Oxfordshire pig 'Cherie,' named after Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, to back a campaign for help to the pig industry.

He made his comments as he joined the National Pig Association for their round-the-clock vigil at Westminster to highlight their 'save our bacon' campaign. They want extra financial help for pig farmers, suffering from the costs of the mad cow disease tax, the strong pound and an international over-supply of pig meat.

The Ribble Valley MP and Conservative party vice-chairman Mr Evans, said: "The pig industry is in its worst crisis for as long as anybody can remember. Farmers need our help if they are to survive this crisis and short-term help will translate into their long-term survival.

"Since this government withdrew the subsidy for rendering in early 1998, pig farmers have been operating at a loss and many have since gone bankrupt.

"Recently, Mr Blair promised to give the pig industry the aid it needs to compete on a level playing field in Europe. So far, this has proved to be an empty promise and, like on many other issues, Mr Blair has been all mouth and no delivery.

"The Government must introduce measures to compensate pig farmers and to secure their livelihoods for the future.

"Tony Blair must keep to his word, for to raise the hopes of those close to losing everything and then to dash them would be a clear act of betrayal."

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