IMPORTS of pork and pork products are still rising and retail sales of imported fresh pork are up 50 per cent in 2004 compared with the previous year according to a report just published by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

It also noted about two-thirds of all imported pork still did not conform to UK welfare standards.

The 'Report on the Growth in Pig Meat Imports in the UK 2004' shows a further two per cent rise in imports of all pork and pork products to the UK in 2004.

The continued growth in imports follows a sharp increase of 14 per cent in 2003. The amount of imported fresh pork sold by retailers now represents about 25 per cent of fresh pork at retail.

BPEX marketing director, Richard Lowe, said: "It is clear from this report that retailers and foodservice operators are continuing to source pork and pork products produced to welfare standards that do not conform to the UK legal minimum.

"It is of particular concern that some retailers continue to sell fresh pork under tertiary brand labels which enables them to claim that all their own-label fresh pork is produced to UK welfare standards.

"In the last year, BPEX has initiated a number of projects to ensure that consumers recognise and actively seek out the new-look Quality Standard Mark and we have also been asking retailers to introduce clear and unambiguous labelling, in order to provide consumers with the opportunity to make a considered choice.

"It has been more than six years since UK legislation banning the use of stalls and tethers for pregnant sows was introduced in the UK.

"But despite this, the amount of pork produced to UK legal minimum standards in supplying countries is generally low and in some cases extremely low, relative to total exports to the UK.

"There is a perception from some in the trade that the British market does not require pork and pork products produced from pigs that meet the UK legal minimum standard. And yet, consumer research clearly shows the opposite. British consumers are overwhelmingly concerned about imports not meeting UK legal standards, and have strongly expressed the desire for equivalent standards in meat production.

"In fact, our recent direct mail campaign to consumers across the country prompted over 35,000 replies, an extraordinarily positive response."

These responses demonstrate that consumers overwhelmingly support the British farmers' view that all imported pork should be produced to welfare standards that are at least equivalent to the minimum standard required in this country."

Mr Lowe said: "Among the suppliers of pork and pork products to the UK, countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands have been transparent about their efforts to encourage their producers to raise pigs to a 'UK Standard'. We will be encouraging other countries that supply the UK to be equally open in the production of this information."

The complete report is available to download from the BPEX website now. Visit www.bpex.org.uk <http://www.bpex.org.uk> for more details.