Pig Sector 'Needs Equal Footing With EC Imports'

An influential report on the pork production in Europe - published last week by a firm that provides financial services primarily on the agribusiness sector internationally, RaboBank - has highlighted the challenges, which must be overcome to allow the pig sector to prosper in Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said the report clearly indicates that there are opportunities for the sector - but only if the high quality of production in Northern Ireland is properly recognized in the supply chain - and imports to the EU are only allowed if they meet the high standards required on local farms.

The website, thepigsite.com, has reported that the UFU Pork and Bacon Chairman Norman Brown said: "The report indicates that there will be winners and losers in the European pig industry over the next number of years.

"Global powers such as Russia and China could both help or hinder production in Europe depending on whether they choose to drive self sufficiency or import product to meet their demand.

"Europe is under threat from a potential Mercosur deal and it is vital that any imports to the EU meet the same strict welfare standards and legislation achieved by European producers," he said, noting that "our higher feed costs and as part of the UK we operate to the highest welfare standards and environmental legislation in Europe, bringing with it significant cost to producers".

Welfare Standards High

He said that the UK should be benefiting from the fact that welfare legislation was introduced in 1999 while it is estimated that 60% of the EU are still to do so.

"Producers must also be free to improve their efficiencies in order to improve their competitiveness," he continued.

"Unfortunately IPPC legislation is restricting expansion and preventing efficiencies from being maximised. This must be addressed. The potential introduction of processed animal protein should reduce the dependency on vegetable protein and reduce our costs."

The UFU also said that although there will be both opportunities and threats for the pig sector, the report indicates that net production will fall by 1.2 million tonnes.

Mr Brown added: "If Northern Ireland pig producers are to survive this drop, retailers and processors must be prepared to recognise and strongly market our local quality assured, high welfare standard product and accurate labelling plays an important role in this.

"Decision makers in Brussels must also rethink how they enforce legislation such as IPPC which is proving draconian and results in reduced competitiveness, whilst also ensuring imports meet EU standards."

(BMcC)