Armstrong attends Stormont breakfast to support local pork industry

Ulster Unionist Mid-Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong has attended a Stormont breakfast event to demonstrate public support for the Northern Ireland pork industry.

The breakfast was hosted by the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey at a Parliament Buildings this morning, and was a public display of support for the industry following last week's health scare relating to unapproved feed which dented consumer confidence.

The Mid-Ulster representative said;

"This morning's event was well attended by a large number of MLAs from all Parties, and Jim Nicholson MEP, who were keen to show their support for the local pork industry.

I was delighted to see that this event was well supported by representatives of the health and agriculture committees, the pork processing industry, the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Food Standards Agency, and all present enjoyed a breakfast of local bacon and sausages in a bid to take a lead and show the Northern Ireland public that local pork is perfectly safe to eat. I would particularly like to endorse the comments of the Health Minister that all meat is safe, and there is no problem with any meat at all.

Christmas is traditionally a period when the Northern Ireland pork industry does a great deal of trade with hams, gammons etc, so the scare could hardly have come at a worse time.

I know that today's event at Stormont, and particularly the presence of our Health Minister will go a long way towards reassuring the public that Northern Ireland pork is 100% safe and good to eat."