British Pigs Fly the Flag

UK - If it says just 'British' on the packet it will be just British in the packet – a new code of practice on the labelling of pork and pork products is to be drawn up following agreement by pig producers, processors, major food retailers, and the food service sector.
calendar icon 11 December 2009
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When introduced, companies who have signed up to the code will clearly display the origin of the pork on the front of the packet. Meanwhile, a declaration that the meat is, for example, ‘British’, will mean that the animal was born, reared and slaughtered in Britain.

There will also be an end to ambiguous terms such as ‘Produced in the UK’ as the origin of the meat will be declared.

The agreement was reached by members of the Pig Meat Supply Chain Task Force which was brought together by Defra to address issues concerning the sector including labelling, environmental performance and competitiveness.

Announcing the agreement, Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, who chairs the Task Force, said: “This agreement is great news for consumers and the whole supply chain.

“It means that if you buy bacon or sausages from a retailer who’s signed up to the code then you’ll know exactly where the meat has come from.

“It’s also helpful for the supply chain from farm to fork, because there will be consistent definitions which the industry can use.”

Mick Sloyan, Chief Executive of the British Pig Executive, who chairs the labelling sub-group on the Task Force, said: “This is a very significant step forward by all elements of the pig meat supply chain to provide consumers with even greater confidence in what they purchase.

“BPEX has long championed the need for unambiguous consumer choice. This voluntary code will reassure consumers that, when they buy British pork products, they will have been produced to our high welfare and exacting quality standards.”

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