Readers have been responding to a story following the problems faced by farmers in the pig industry.

Pig farmers in Northumberland will be among those forced to “slaughter their own animals” to dispose of them if the situation facing the industry does not change, the chairman of the National Pig Association has warned.

Rob Mutimer has called on the Government to “act now” to prevent the needless destruction of thousands of animals, as farms grapple with a lack of space and feed due to supply chain issues.

The sector has been hit by the news that abattoirs are running out of carbon dioxide, which is used to 'humanely' slaughter animals.

The problem has been caused by the shutting down of two large fertiliser plants in the UK – which produce CO2 as a by-product – with the owners citing the hike in gas prices as their reason for closing.

It has added to months of ongoing difficulties over a shortage of skilled workers, many of whom have gone back to Eastern Europe, which means abattoirs have already had to reduce the number of animals they kill by 25 per cent. As a result, farmers are running out of room to house their livestock.

Mr Mutimer told the PA news agency: “If the situation doesn’t change, it’s going to spiral completely out of control."

Here is what you had to say.

Andy Ward said: "No seasonal workers arriving for the agricultural industry, so crops are left rotting in the fields.

"As such, farmers are planting fewer crops for next year which means a lot less fertiliser is required, so less C02 is produced as a by-product.

"CO2 shortages mean abattoir's capacity to process animals is reduced, and farmers end up with animals they cannot feed.

Thank Brexit, if you voted for it and you still think its a great idea - own it, this is on you, well done - its going to get worse."

Rob Guy said: "Animals should be humanely slaughtered on site.

"The stress of transportation to a slaughter house then the slaughter process is barbaric!"

Carol Henderson said: "God help us in this country if there is ever a war, couldn't run a bath, never mind the country."