Northern Irish pork bound for China

Northern Ireland pork producers are gearing up for exports to China after the final administration processes were completed. The new trade, which could be worth around £10 million a year, will include fifth quarter products such as trotters.

The move opens the door for business in China for the Karro processing plant at Cookstown in county Tyrone and Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena, county Antrim.

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer Robert Huey says: "This is a wonderful opportunity for the Northern Ireland pig industry. Following approval of two slaughterhouses and two cold stores to export pork to China on August 11, we had to wait while the administrative listing processes in China were being completed. This has now been done.

"The announcement clears the way for pig producers here to capitalise on a significant global market. It is the culmination of five years of Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Northern Ireland Bureau in China, Food Standards Agency and industry working in partnership to build trust with China in order to secure access to a very important market.

"This is a ringing endorsement for our rigorous standards which guarantee high-quality, safe and wholesome pork. Because we place a clear emphasis on traceability at the heart of production and processing, we are gaining a global reputation for delivering a joined up, safe and efficient food supply."

Mr Huey said the commencement of exports is a boost not just for processors and farmers but also for the wider agri-food sector as it will expand the marketplace and protect jobs.

He added: "However, we see this as the first of many opportunities for our agri-food industry and it is our intention to build up this trading relationship with China to enable our beef, poultry and other producers to access that market."

Deirdre McIvor, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum, adds: "This is an exciting development as the potential for growth in this market is vast. The local pig farming industry makes a significant contribution to the agri-sector sustaining 400 farming families and 2,000 local jobs. This Chinese approval is the culmination of years of collective support and work throughout the sector."