A TOP Japanese agricultural official has been on whistle-stop tour of England looking at agri-environmental issues.

Mr Ito, Yurie Fujihara and Andrew Freemantle.

Director General of the Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Policy Research Institute, Takehiko Ito is pictured on a visit to a Devon pig unit organised by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

BPEX Strategy Co-ordinator Andrew Knowles said: "This was an extremely important visit as the Japanese market is one we worked hard to re-open and there is tremendous scope for exports."

He was taken to Andrew Freemantle's farm and shop near Exeter, Devon, to see at first hand environmental and welfare friendly British pig production in action.

Andrew runs 300 Large White cross Landrace sows producing 5,000 pigs per annum, with about 80 per cent going to a local processor and the other 20 per cent sold direct to the consumer through his own and other local farm shops.

The sows are run on a free range system allowing them daily access to fields alongside the unit and all pigs are loose-housed using generous quantities of high quality straw.

Notes: The Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Policy Research Institute is a Statutory body responsible for advising the Japanese Government on all aspects of policy.

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