British pig meat supplies re-start

The licensed movement of pigs in England and Wales from farm direct to abattoir will be permitted from Midnight, Wed 8 August, was greeted as fantastic news by British Pig Executive Chief Executive Mick Sloyan.

Defra has announced that cattle, sheep and pigs outside the Foot and Mouth Surveillance and Protection Zones will be permitted to move direct to slaughter under a general license from Midnight. Livestock must travel direct from individual farms to authorised abattoirs and vehicles must be cleansed and disinfected before leaving the abattoir.

Mick Sloyan said: "this is great news for pig farmers and great news for consumers.

"It means the vast majority of pigs can move into the processing sector and relieve mounting pressure on farms.

"There is still a long way to go to get the market back to normal, but this is an important first step.

"We must not forget that we are still in a foot and mouth disease outbreak and I urge producers, transporters and abattoirs to remain extremely vigilant and to implement the highest standards of biosecurity."