Pig meat tips EU scales

PIG MEAT tops the popularity chart among EU meat consumers, Food Minister Noel Treacy disclosed when he presented the prizes in the Irish Pork Competition final in Athlone.

He said pig meat accounts for almost half of all meat consumed within the EU. Consumption currently stands at 18 million tonnes, over twice the level of beef. This figure will increase to over 20 million tonnes with the accession of ten new member states.

Pig meat is also the most popular meat in Ireland, although per-capita consumption is well below the European average. The country has about 500 commercial producers who have some of the largest units in Europe.