Research from credit card provider Visa estimates the London 2012 Olympic Games will provide an instant 3750-million increase in consumer spending, coupled with a sustained 35.1-billion boost to the UK economy over the next four years.

The report also said that consumer spending across the seven-week period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will increase by 18.5 per cent, with the food and drink industries expected to benefit from an expected 381.5-million spending rise.

LOCOG has, over the last two years, defined the provision of food and catering services for the Games in order that they contribute to the overall objectives of delivering the 'greenest Games ever' and that the Games should leave a 'lasting measurable legacy'.

The LOCOG Food Advisory Committee published product sourcing standards for food in December 2009, which requires contracted caterers to serve only food that complies with a benchmark standard, which for pork products (pork cuts, ham, bacon and sausage) is 'British Red Tractor Assured, of high quality, fit for purpose and free from damage and spoilage'.

The immediate impact of these requirements has been that the number of catering butchers who have become licensed for Red Tractor Assured Pork has more then doubled to 23 as the 11 contracted caterers sought to ensure their supply chains comply with the LOCOG Food Vision requirements.

Of course, this a tremendous boost for the pig industry but equally will, through increased numbers of butchers becoming licensed for Red Tractor Pork, provide the pig industry with a lasting legacy from the games.

BPEX thanked LOCOG for supporting British farming and in particular, the pig industry and also for their support in assisting the food-service trade sector manager in working with the 11 contracted caterers on developing supplier relationships and the promotion of Red Tractor Pork.