A new quality assurance scheme for the Irish pig industry was announced yesterday by the Department of Agriculture and Food. The revised scheme not only focuses on the end product but also The scheme is structured so that Irish production systems match international standards, particularly what is known as the HACCP quality management terms, and EU hygiene legislation, according to Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Ned O'Keeffe.
"It differs substantially from the existing programme in that it includes for the first time an entire section outlining a farmer code of practice.
"Only approved farmers will be listed on a plant register."
Pigmeat is the fastest-growing meat sector in Ireland with output of £300 million in 1996, or 8 per cent of gross agricultural output, according to the food body, Bord Bia.
Irish people consume more pigmeat than any other meat, while exports exceed 100,000 tonnes annually, valued at more than £200 million.
