News Pigs
British government requested boycott of meat from AVP countries
Scottish farmers are calling on the government in the United Kingdom to immediately stop the import of pork from countries with African swine fever (ASF). If it were to be banned, it could put a new damper on the European pork market.
The farmers, represented in the National Farming Union, made the call in a letter to Agriculture Secretary George Eustice. They point to the high risk of the introduction of African swine fever if action is not taken immediately. Countries whose pork imports should be suspended include Germany, Belgium, Romania and Poland. It is striking that Belgium is on the list. The country has already been officially declared free from African swine fever.
According to the foreman of the National Farming Union, Martin Kennedy, African swine fever is spreading rapidly through Europe and there are no controls on the product when pork is imported. "In times of a major biosecurity risk, this cannot just go on."
Important sales market
The United Kingdom is a major importer of European pork. The country has imported between 55.000 and 75.000 tons per month from European Union countries this year. This on a total European export volume of 450.000 tons to 625.000 tons per month.
Germany, Belgium, Romania and Poland together export between 25.000 tons and 30.000 tons of pork to the United Kingdom each month. It means that 5% of European pork exports could be affected by an import ban. A volume that must be sold in the overcrowded European market in the event of a boycott.
Steve Wissink
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.