At the end of last week, the AHDB board approved a move to put 3500,000 from across all levy boards behind the Red Tractor.

But, before this can happen, State Aids approval must be obtained from Brussels and this is unlikely before the tail end of this year.

BPEX remains totally committed to promoting the high standards under which producers and processors operate in this country.

The QSM, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary, has benefited the industry and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The BPEX business plan for 2009/10, which was recently agreed with the industry, has a marketing spend underpinning the QSM over the next financial year of almost 33 million.

The activity includes:

• Working with all the major retailers, following on from Jamie Oliver’s Save Our Bacon programme
• Launch of a new Consumer QSM marketing website and national online advertising campaign
• Bacon and Sausage Weeks supported by all major multiple retailers
• Launch of a new campaign for better labelling

BPEX Chairman Stewart Houston said: “The direction of travel has been determined but there is still an urgent need to tell consumers about the independently audited high standards the English pig sector operates.

“We look forward to working with the Red Tractor in the future but for now we will concentrate on helping the English pig sector recover from recent high costs by vigorously promoting assured pork and pork products.“