A six-week consultation by the Food Standards Agency recently began with a focus on rules surrounding inspections of pig meat which are set to come into effect in June 2014.

The new rules, which are set to be introduced across the European Union, are designed to help inspectors and veterinarians to more easily target risks to public health and to offer a risk-based inspection system.

More emphasis is to be placed on visual inspections, with health checks undertaken in such a way as to minimise the potential of bacteria contaminating meat, as scientific data suggests that when inspected hands-on that harmful bacteria can be easily spread.

Director of Policy at the FSA, Steve Wearne, said: “The current system needs modernising. Our meat hygiene controls were developed more than a century ago to tackle the health concerns of the day. A modernised inspection system will protect consumers better and be more proportionate to slaughterhouses that control risks effectively.

“We want to ensure the new controls are proportionate and take into account the views of producers and consumers of pork. We look forward to hearing all of the views that came out of this consultation.”

The Yorkshire Pig often responds to news related to hog roasting, catering and farming. A representative for the company said:

“As a catering company who sources fresh pigs direct from farms and butchers in the UK this is news that we welcome. From our perspective, as a specialist caterer of pigs, improved quality controls are welcomed, especially if it’s making the task easier for meat inspectors and official veterinarians.

“We always strive to provide our clients with an unforgettable catering experience and while service is a huge part of that the quality of the food that we provide is also absolutely pivotal to the reputation of The Yorkshire Pig, so we very much rely on inspections and our local farmers to supply us with quality produce.

“That’s why we’re known in Yorkshire as one of the best caterers that there is – our scrumptious food can’t be matched.”

If you’re searching for catering solutions in Yorkshire, then The Yorkshire Pig can help. The Yorkshire Pig is one of the most popular spit roast catering companies in the UK. They provide delicious menus from the classic pig in a bun menu to sit-down wedding menus with a choice of lamb, pig, beef, chicken or turkey. Visit their website at www.hogroastsyorkshire.co.uk to book a delicious whole roasted pig for your event.