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| Pig meat and live pig exports |
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| During the 1980s and 1990s the UK was a net exporter with export levels peaking in 1998 at around 280,000 tonnes. However, since the incidence of foot and mouth disease in 2001, exports have been much lower. In 2006, 103,000 tonnes of pork and 10,000 tonnes of bacon were exported. |
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| In the early 1980s more than half a million live pigs were exported. However, as with other species, increasingly stringent welfare in transport regulations have made live exports less viable and these have declined considerably. In 2005, estimated live pig exports were just 82,000 head, mainly to EU countries, at a value of £9.3m. Bacon exports for 2005 has dropped slightly to 10,000 tonnes, with the majority (70%) going to the Irish Republic. |
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| Main destinations for UK pig meat |
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| Germany is still the principal export destination for pork, followed by Irish Republic, Netherlands and Italy. The Irish Republic is still the primary export market for UK bacon (approx 70%) . |
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| Main cuts supplied |
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Three-quarters of pork exported is in fresh/chilled form and one-quarter is frozen. The greatest proportion is supplied in carcases or half carcases. A significant proportion is also supplied in fresh/chilled boneless form. The total value of pork and bacon exports in 2005 was over £1 billion.
Total exports of bacon and ham was 10,100 tonnes mainly to the Irish Republic. |
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| Export regulations |
| In order to enable exporters to compete on world markets, where market prices are below those in the EU, export refunds are paid on exports of certain categories of pig meat products (smoked pig meat, sausages and canned pig meat). The total amount of pig meat upon which export refunds can be claimed in the EU in any July-June year is 444,000 tonnes.
Exports of pig meat to non-EU countries must be covered by an export licence. |
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For more information:
Services, publications and websites
Defra information on International trade: Exports of live animals to European Union (EU) Member States
Defra information on International trade: Exports of animal products to European Union (EU) Member State
Business Link - Practical Advice on whether an import or export licence is required
BPEX -British Pig Executive
MLC Export Department
Telephone: +44 1908 844370
Fax: +44 1908 609221 |
