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Melton Mowbray pork pie makers and No 10 clash over Johnson claim Melton Mowbray pork pie makers and No 10 clash over Johnson claim
(about 1 hour later)
Melton Mowbray pork pies can be exported to Thailand and Iceland, Downing Street has insisted - despite a pie promoter suggesting they could not. The humble Melton Mowbray pork pie is at the centre of an unlikely political dispute about British exports.
On Sunday, while discussing an American trade deal, Boris Johnson said the British-made pies could be exported to other countries but not the US. On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said pork pies can be exported to Thailand and Iceland, but not the US.
That claim was queried by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association. But, on Monday, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association said the UK did not export to those countries.
But No 10 says one company exports its pies to Iceland, Thailand, Singapore and the Caribbean. In response, Downing Street said pie producer Walker & Sons exported pies to numerous countries - but Walker & Sons told the BBC that was not true.
Pie producer Walker & Son - which says it makes and bakes 80% of all of the UK's Melton Mowbray pork pies - said in 2015 that it sends small shipments abroad. Walker & Sons said it used to export a "tiny amount" of pork pies to Singapore, but had not done so for "at least two years" and is now "entirely focused on the UK market".
Mr Johnson spoke about trying to "prise open the American market" as he met US President Donald Trump in Biarritz, France, for talks about a possible post-Brexit trade deal at the G7 summit. When asked if the company had ever exported to any other countries, the spokeswoman said she was unsure.
What did the PM say and why did he say it?
The topic of pork pies arose on Sunday at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, when Mr Johnson was discussing a possible post-Brexit free trade deal with the US.
Mr Johnson spoke about trying to "prise open the American market" by removing restrictions on UK exports.
Offering an example of an American trade restriction, Mr Johnson said: "Melton Mowbray pork pies, which are sold in Thailand and in Iceland, are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of food and drug administration restriction."Offering an example of an American trade restriction, Mr Johnson said: "Melton Mowbray pork pies, which are sold in Thailand and in Iceland, are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of food and drug administration restriction."
Matthew O'Callaghan - who chairs the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association which represents the pie makers - told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme as far as he knew, the claim was wrong. What was the response?
He was asked if Mr Johnson was right in what he had said. Matthew O'Callaghan - who chairs the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, which represents the pies' makers - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that, as far as he knew, the claim was wrong.
Mr O'Callaghan replied: "Not really. With all of these things there is a little bit of give and take. We don't actually export to Thailand or Iceland." Asked if Mr Johnson was right, Mr O'Callaghan replied: "Not really. With all of these things there is a little bit of give and take. We don't actually export to Thailand or Iceland."
When pressed again, Mr O'Callaghan said: "Not that I know of I'm afraid.When pressed again, Mr O'Callaghan said: "Not that I know of I'm afraid.
"It is certainly available in Iceland the shop.""It is certainly available in Iceland the shop."
Mr O'Callaghan added: "You've got the G7, you've got the Iran crisis, the Amazon burning, China and Russia, and all the rest of it, and up pops Boris with Melton Mowbray pork pie. Mr O'Callaghan said there was a possibility that pies could be exported frozen to the US or Australia and cooked in the country.
"Good for him. I mean, great product, and why not?" Downing Street's rebuttal
He added: "A Melton Mowbray pork pie is a delicate fresh meat product so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), like most other countries in the world, are very aware of meat products and you have to go through all the regulations to get them over there. In response to Mr O'Callaghan, No 10 said the PM was correct when he said that Melton Mowbray pork pies are exported to Thailand and Iceland.
"Because of the short shelf life it is not really viable economically." His remarks, it added, were based on a briefing note from the Department for International Trade, which said the company Walker & Sons exports small shipments to Iceland, Thailand, Singapore and the Caribbean.
But, government officials said Mr Johnson's remarks were "correct". What does Walker & Sons say?
They said the prime minister's comments were "based on a briefing note from the Department for International Trade, which says the company Walker and Son exports small shipments to Iceland, Thailand, Singapore and the Caribbean". Pie producer Walker & Son - which says it makes and bakes 80% of all of the UK's Melton Mowbray pork pies - said in 2015 that it sends small shipments abroad.
However, when contacted by the BBC, Walker & Sons said it no longer exports pork pies.
"We are entirely focused on the UK market," a spokeswoman said.
The company said it used to export a "tiny amount" to Singapore - but had not done so "for some time".
When pressed, a spokeswoman said none had been exported for "at least two years".
She said those that were exported had to be sent out frozen and then baked on arrival.  
Melton Mowbray pork pies are distinctive as they are made from uncured pork, to ensure the inside is grey in colour.Melton Mowbray pork pies are distinctive as they are made from uncured pork, to ensure the inside is grey in colour.
The Melton Mowbray pork pie has special protected geographical status under EU rules, meaning that only producers making pork pies using the traditional recipe and in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray can use the town's name.The Melton Mowbray pork pie has special protected geographical status under EU rules, meaning that only producers making pork pies using the traditional recipe and in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray can use the town's name.
Mr O'Callaghan said there was a possibility that pies could be exported frozen to the US or Australia and cooked in the country.
After Mr Johnson's pork pie remarks, Rutland and Melton MP Sir Alan Duncan posted a series of tweets expressing support for the opportunity to export the famous food to the US.After Mr Johnson's pork pie remarks, Rutland and Melton MP Sir Alan Duncan posted a series of tweets expressing support for the opportunity to export the famous food to the US.
During the Tory leadership contest earlier this year, Mr Johnson waved an Isle of Man kipper at the final hustings and claimed EU regulations require kipper suppliers to keep their products cool with ice pillows when they are delivered.During the Tory leadership contest earlier this year, Mr Johnson waved an Isle of Man kipper at the final hustings and claimed EU regulations require kipper suppliers to keep their products cool with ice pillows when they are delivered.
However, the EU rule covers fresh fish and not smoked products, such as kippers, and it is for national governments to set any rules.However, the EU rule covers fresh fish and not smoked products, such as kippers, and it is for national governments to set any rules.