North's meat-ban exemption 'not being recognised'

The North's exemption from the EU ban on the export of meat and meat products is not being recognised worldwide, it became clear today.

A shipment of pork from the North has been turned away by Japan despite the North being clear of foot and mouth disease and being told by Brussels that it is clear to continue exporting.

Grampian Food, which has other shipments on their way to the US and Germany, has called a temporary halt to exports until it can get the situation resolved.

Hugh McReynolds, managing director of the Cookstown, Co Tyrone, pork processing company, said: “The Japanese authorities took the view that because we are a plant with a UK health number they would prevent the goods from entering the country.”

He said the company had told the Japanese that the North had a "separate region" status and was exempt from the export ban, but that unfortunately yesterday morning the situation had not been clarified by the EU enough for the Japanese authorities.

He said now the situation had been clarified by the EU he was working with the Department of Agriculture in Belfast and its counterpart in London to resolve the problems.

Mr McHugh said he had other shipments on the way to Germany and the US and he was concerned other counties may be confused about the North's export status.

“We have taken the view to temporarily suspend any other shipments leaving the country at the moment.”

He said he hoped there would be international clarity provided by Brussels within the next 24 hours.

Mr McReynolds said the situation was “particularly worrying because we are coming from a back drop where grain prices are rising very steadily and pig farmers are in a very difficult situation”.