Singapore relaxes export conditions for Northern Irish pork
Previously only pork from animals born in the north were eligible for export to Singapore, but the criteria now allows meat from animals sourced from across the island of Ireland, including animals which were born in the south, but reared in the north.
Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland agriculture minister, said: "Today’s announcement is a further boost for our pork exports following agreement by the Singapore authorities to accept meat from all the animals reared and processed in the north."
O’Neill said Northern Ireland had been able to capitalise on a successful inward inspection by Singaporean officials in July last year.
"They were highly impressed with our beef production standards and, as a result, were willing to renegotiate the already agreed pork certificate in light of this," she explained.
"This good news is of benefit to our farmers and processors alike and I hope, in the coming months, to be able to announce even more new market opportunities. With increasing export opportunities a key tenet of the Going for Growth strategy, I am committed to using every lever available to me to assist our industry in achieving their ambitious growth targets."
Earlier this month O’Neill announced that better trading conditions had been secured for Northern Ireland’s beef and pork exports to South Africa.
"The renegotiation of export conditions to remove clauses which limited the economic value of these lucrative markets for our industry is good news. Our industry sources animals from across Ireland and need export markets which accept meat from all animals processed here."
It beef exports were also limited by a clause of origin, which only permitted the export of meat from animals born in the north. As well pork exports to Singapore, this has now been extended to include animals sourced from the south of the island.
"The renegotiation of the South African beef market could generate between £5m to £10m annually for our industry. Our pork industry will also significantly benefit from the renegotiation of the South African market."
