April 25, 2012

European pork producers are preparing for the impacts from a sow-stall ban slated to take effect on January 2013 as pork production are expected to decrease by up to 10%.

At immediate issue is compliance. The report noted that only three member states are compliant; nine have said they expect to be compliant by the start date; and 12 have not been able to assure they will be fully compliant by then.

With the EU expected to take a hard line on compliance, BPEX is urging action.

"There are about 250 days to go until January 2013. It is imperative for retailers and processors to ensure contract arrangements that guarantee the supply of pig meat under terms that allow sensible business decisions to be made and for everyone in the supply chain to work towards a sustainable, profitable sector," BPEX Chairman, Stewart Houston, said in the report.