Deal reached to detailpork country of origin

SEVERAL of the country’s biggest supermarkets have agreed to adopt a voluntary code to accurately label pork products to show where they have really come from.

Defra Minister Hilary Benn announced that Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Whitbread are committed to the code which aims to end the confusion over labelling of pork, bacon and ham and products such as pork pies.

Until now, the meat could be labelled as British if it was processed in this country – even if the pig had been born, reared or slaughtered abroad, where lower welfare standards could be in force.

Companies who have signed up to the code will have to display country of origin clearly on the pack and have to put the country it originally came from.

Mr Benn said the agreement had been reached through a task force of consumers, retailers, the Government, farmers and processors.

He said: “I expect all major retailers to sign up and join those who have already decided to end the confusion for shoppers. If they don’t, their customers should ask them why they’re not in favour of clear, honest labelling.”

Yorkshire pig farmer Stewart Houston called the announcement “great news for everyone in the supply chain” and CLA president and Yorkshire landowner William Worsley said he welcomed the move.

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