The re-opening of the Japanese market, closed since an outbreak of Classical Swine Fever in 2000, is the culmination of a series of trade missions by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

The export was organised by John Millard of JJ Genetics and the Japanese end was handled by K Onuki head of a major firm involved in pig breeding and rearing.

Speaking on his return from the latest trade mission to Japan and China, BPEX Chairman Stewart Houston said: "This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a dedicated team of people.

"Members of BPEX have visited Japan to press for the reinstatement of export health certificates and we are now starting to reap the benefits. I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of the staff at the British Embassy in Tokyo and the team at Defra.

"British producers and the British industry are held in high regard in Japan and we believe we can develop this trade much further."

The trade missions also result in the reinstatement of health certificates for pig meat and trade has also restarted here.

BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan said: "We had discussions with representatives of the Japanese processing industry and are happy to report exports of pig meat to Japan in the first six months of this year reached 31.75 million.

"We are committed to growing this market so British producers and processors can benefit from this huge opportunity for pig meat."

The five-day mission included a visit to China where BPEX is also pressing for export health certificates both for pig meat and breeding stock.

The opening of this market, the world's biggest for pig meat, would bring big benefits for the British industry.

Stewart Houston said: "It is clear there are fantastic opportunities for value added sales in China, particularly for pig offals which sell at a premium over there.

"The discussions with the Government officials were very positive but there is still some way to go."

Source: BPEX - 15th September 2004