Ulster farming leaders have applauded the support given to a new Northern Ireland pigmeat label by retailers Tesco and Lidl, congratulating them on their show of support for local producers.
“The development of the new label is something to be celebrated and I am pleased to see two of the major retailers in Northern Ireland (NI) already supporting it,” said Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president, Ivor Ferguson, adding that Tesco was the first to embrace it, with Lidl not far behind.
“The label means that consumers can be confident in the origins of the pork products they are buying and that they are getting a top quality product. We know from recent research that more and more consumers are looking to buy local and this is enabling them to do just that when it comes to pork.”
He said the uptake of the label, created by the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, was especially welcome at a time when pig producers were becoming increasingly concerned about the possible misrepresentation of pigmeat products by retailers and the food service sector.
“NI’s pig farmers pride themselves on producing pigmeat to the highest standards and are pleased that this label is available to help retailers promote NI pork products,” he said. “However, there is still work to be done and we are calling on the other retailers to show their support for local pig farmers by putting the logo on their NI pork products as soon as possible.”
