National Pig Association THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets and caterers - fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry.

"We believe very strongly in what you are trying to achieve," says Andrew Nicholson, Quality Assurance Manager of the Co-operative Group.

"We would be the first to admit that we do sell a significant number of products using EU sourced raw material, but we do believe that these are labelled far more clearly than required by law."

The Co-op routinely checks competitors' products -- including the source of raw materials -- and has offered to help NPA ascertain the provenance of products where packaging is ambiguous.

Andrew Nicholson says his company is committed to honest labelling and if NPA and its members are aware of any Co-op items that do not achieve high standards of accuracy he would be interested in ideas for changes or improvements.

Producers say they will favour pro-English abattoirs

Producers will cold-shoulder abattoirs that favour imported pork, if the Traffic Lights forum page is to be believed. A message from one producer today says, "Please ask your group/abattoir if they are involved in this trade and if the answer if either yes/no comment/don't know, then sell elsewhere."

Another contributor says he (or she) has already adopted this policy. "Our pigs are wanted and they are in short supply - for once we have the upper hand if only we were intelligent enough to realise it." Another says, "Before you sell any pigs this Friday please ask your buyers if they are also purchasing imports." Feelings appear strongest in East Anglia.

Source: National Pig Association - Digby Scott - 19th February 2004