Export update
Uploaded August 2004

Good news at last. Exports of live pigs to Japan can finally resume. Two and half long years after the last case of Foot and Mouth disease we have an export health certificate for pig breeding stock. Last October a BPA and MLC delegation visited Japan to lobby their government and their producers for a resumption of trade. Meat exports are already underway and now breeding pigs have been approved. During the visit to Tokyo we met customers who would like to to buy British Large White, Landrace and Berkshire. They promised to come and select as soon as the paperwork was in place so we look forward to seeing them this summer.

At the Pig and Poultry Fair we shared a stand with the International Agriculture Technology Centre. With DTI and MLC support we were able to welcome visitors from the new Accession countries of Eastern Europe as well as delegations from as far afield as Columbia and Korea. Slowly but surely we are beginning to remind buyers around the world that we have fantastic pigs and much more to offer. It is a very slow process winning back our export markets and we need all the government support we can get.

Brazil is another market that has recently opened up for British pig breeding stock. BPA has a stand funded by DTI at the Ave-Sui Show in Florianopolis this month. We hope to meet some new customers and get them over to the UK for the Royal Show.

We have a number of these stands funded by DTI at international shows between now and March 2005. Companies who wish to exhibit at these shows can get a grant of up to £2,500 towards their stand costs. New exporters who would like to visit any of these shows are very welcome to use the BPA stand as base to explore the show and meet new customers. New exporters may also be entitled to additional support. Details of the programme are outlined below. If you would like information about any of these events please contact the BPA office.

Source: British Pig Association Newsletter, Whitsun 2004