Indications that some supermarkets in Ireland are carrying less quality assured (QA) Irish pork than in the past has prompted the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) to make a direct plea to the country’s consumers to support their own farmers.
The picture from Ireland is somewhat mixed with the association reporting a 12% decline in pigmeat imports during the first four months of 2015 while also noting a possible reduction in retail shelf space for Irish produced QA pork.
“Scanning the supermarkets it is clear that some major secondary processors are using less Bord Bia QA product,” said IFA pigs committee chairman, Pat O’Flaherty, in his weekly market report to members.
“IFA continues to encourage consumers, therefore, to look out for the QA logo to be fully assured they are buying Irish and supporting Irish pig farmers.”
Mr O’Flaherty’s comments followed a “static” week for pigmeat prices in Ireland which left domestic values at 102% of the EU average.
“It is hoped the home market will pick up throughout the summer and deliver a better price to Irish producers,” said the pigs committee chairman.
The pigmeat QA scheme, run by Bord Bia, the Irish food board, is an integrated scheme involving producers and processors “working in partnership to provide the customer with quality assured product”. The scheme has been running in Ireland since 2006.