Local MP Graham Stuart asked the first Prime Minister’s Question of 2012, gaining a positive outcome for the East Riding pig industry.
The Beverley and Holderness MP asked the Prime Minister to celebrate and protect the successful local pig sector. Graham highlighted the success of Cranswick Country Foods, located in Preston east of Hull, which has invested £15 million over recent years to upgrade its facilities so that it has US Department of Agriculture approval and the ability to export all over Europe.
With more than 1200 employees on the Preston site alone, Graham was determined to see the company get the support it needs to grow its business and develop more export markets around the world. The Cranswick plant has been hampered in its ability to export to the Far East by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which says the state of the art site does not meet the requirements for exports to China.
Graham said; “It was a really positive start to the year for businesses like Cranswick. The Prime Minister pledged his support to ensure that everything possible is done to resolve the current situation with the FSA. I am pleased to see that this Government is willing to step in and respond to any inappropriate bureaucratic behaviour that hampers the rebalancing of our economy through foreign exports.
“Cranswick is a local success story providing much needed jobs and a market for local pig producers. I am delighted to say that the FSA have provided a statement indicating that they expect to be able to approve the plant for export of pig meat to China shortly.
The MP continued: “This is positive news for the East Yorkshire pig industry. However, until Cranswick gets the green light, I will continue to pursue this issue and will follow up with meetings with ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Chairman of the FSA
“We absolutely need regulators that are rigorous but they must also support British business, not destroy job creation. Every job in East Yorkshire is precious and I will continue to do everything I can to promote local business and employment.”
