'2016 is a Crucial Year for Northern Ireland's Pork Industry'

NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry as local pork producers continue to face challenges in 2016.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Feb 2016, 16:20 BST
Updated 22nd Feb 2016, 16:25 BST
Deirdre McIvor, CEO of The NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry by encouraging consumers to buy Assured Origin NI Pork.Deirdre McIvor, CEO of The NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry by encouraging consumers to buy Assured Origin NI Pork.
Deirdre McIvor, CEO of The NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry by encouraging consumers to buy Assured Origin NI Pork.

The Forum, comprised of processors and producers, represents the whole pig farming industry which currently sustains over 400 farming families and 2,000 local jobs. It’s widely acknowledged last year was a challenging one across the industry and falling prices indicate this trend is set to continue.

Deirdre McIvor, Chief Executive of NI Pork and Bacon Forum said: “A variety of global market factors have resulted in difficult trading conditions - cheaper imports are coming into Northern Ireland which are creating a very challenging environment for producers and processors. It is more important than ever that consumers buy NI ‘Assured Origin’ pork. By purchasing NI Pork, consumers can be confident that not only are they buying a product which has been produced to the highest quality standards in Europe, but they are helping to support our economy which includes our pig producers and the thousands who are employed throughout the industry supply chain.”

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Deirdre continues: “In 2015 our campaign was supported by retailers including Tesco, LIDL, ASDA and Spar who committed to stocking products which carry the ‘Assured Origin’ label on their products and we continue to engage our retail partners in 2016 to further support our campaign to champion NI Pork”.

Deirdre McIvor, CEO of The NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry by encouraging consumers to buy Assured Origin NI Pork.Deirdre McIvor, CEO of The NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry by encouraging consumers to buy Assured Origin NI Pork.
Deirdre McIvor, CEO of The NI Pork and Bacon Forum, the industry body which represents the local pigmeat supply chain in Northern Ireland, is calling for support for the pig farming industry by encouraging consumers to buy Assured Origin NI Pork.

The NI Pork and Bacon Forum kicked off NI’s Year of Food with a series of cookery videos on social media. The videos, offer a range of recipes encouraging consumers to cook with ‘Assured Origin’ product and are designed to demonstrate that pork is a tasty and nutritious meal.

Deirdre continued: “NI Pork is a wholesome product produced to exceptional standards, it’s a lean meat which provides an excellent source of protein and as our videos will demonstrate is versatile and convenient especially for busy families.”

Deirdre concluded: “Although we are facing challenging market conditions, the industry is constantly evolving and looking at ways to improve and develop and it continues to face these challenges and opportunities head on. We hope that the people of Northern Ireland will continue to support our local pig farmers and processors and the best way to do that is by purchasing local product with the NI ‘Assured Origin’ label.”

For all the latest news, top tips and recipes consumers can like our Facebook page at NI Pork or follow @nipork on twitter.

Related topics:Northern IrelandFood