Pig producers have launched a two-pronged attack on imported pork in the run-up to Christmas.
In an effort to encourage consumers to pick British pork, a six-foot-high Trojan Pig has been let loose on the country. Creators at the National Pig Association say it will highlight the alleged lower welfare standards of cheap pork imports.
Meanwhile, retailers are being targeted over their gammon sourcing as sales of the seasonal favourite boom in December.
"Many people buy gammon as a one-off at Christmas-time and they need to look carefully at labelling," said NPA chairman Stewart Houston. "We will be conducting a special GammonWatch throughout December to monitor product labelling and we shall publish the results in the New Year."
The combined campaigns aim to boost sales of pork, bacon, sausages and ham bearing the Quality Standard Mark. But the NPA argues it is not waging a negative campaign to boost British produce.
It estimates that 70% of the 850,000t of imported pigmeat is produced to welfare standards that would not be legal in the UK. But more than 90% of consumers believe all pork should be produced to UK welfare standards.
"This is not an anti-import campaign. All we are asking for is a level playing field to allow British pig farmers to compete," said campaign organiser Barney Kay.
"Unclear labelling gives importers an advantage and deceives British consumers.
"We would urge consumers who are concerned about this issue to look carefully at the label to make sure they can tell where it is from."
So far the model pig has toured Lichfield, Nottingham, York, Hull and Lincolnshire, with visits planned for Peterborough, Cambridge, Northants, Norfolk and Suffolk.
In an effort to encourage consumers to pick British pork, a six-foot-high Trojan Pig has been let loose on the country. Creators at the National Pig Association say it will highlight the alleged lower welfare standards of cheap pork imports.
Meanwhile, retailers are being targeted over their gammon sourcing as sales of the seasonal favourite boom in December.
"Many people buy gammon as a one-off at Christmas-time and they need to look carefully at labelling," said NPA chairman Stewart Houston. "We will be conducting a special GammonWatch throughout December to monitor product labelling and we shall publish the results in the New Year."
The combined campaigns aim to boost sales of pork, bacon, sausages and ham bearing the Quality Standard Mark. But the NPA argues it is not waging a negative campaign to boost British produce.
It estimates that 70% of the 850,000t of imported pigmeat is produced to welfare standards that would not be legal in the UK. But more than 90% of consumers believe all pork should be produced to UK welfare standards.
"This is not an anti-import campaign. All we are asking for is a level playing field to allow British pig farmers to compete," said campaign organiser Barney Kay.
"Unclear labelling gives importers an advantage and deceives British consumers.
"We would urge consumers who are concerned about this issue to look carefully at the label to make sure they can tell where it is from."
So far the model pig has toured Lichfield, Nottingham, York, Hull and Lincolnshire, with visits planned for Peterborough, Cambridge, Northants, Norfolk and Suffolk.
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