YOUR article 'Crisis slices into bacon profits', (June 8), appears to blame pig farmers for Malton Food's problem.

Pig farmers cannot be blamed for reducing production when every pig has lost money for two years.

The blame lies elsewhere. The supermarkets are far too powerful and are really monopoly buyers. This is shown by the fact that a company the size of Malton Foods cannot demand a reasonable profit on its bacon. It is therefore forced to bankrupt its pig farmers to make a reduced profit.

Pig prices are, reluctantly, rising but must rise substantially if farmers are to survive.

The heavy hand of the supermarkets is the cause of the slow price rise, they have the muscle and they are using it.

Fred Henley,

Green Farm,

Seaton Ross, York.