SPARE ribs being shipped from North Yorkshire to US barbecues are being held up amid fears over swine fever.

The British pork exported by Malton Bacon Factory is being temporarily blocked while the Americans seek assurances that the meat is safe.

Malton Bacon Factory, whose 2,500-strong workforce makes it Ryedale's biggest employer, has confirmed it has a container of pork on its way to America.

The container, believed to be carrying 120,000lb of pork ribs, is currently at sea in the Atlantic as its destination has now become unknown.

A spokesman for the factory confirmed there has been a "hold-up" of a container of frozen pork ribs bound for America.

He said certification arrangements for the meat have been temporarily withdrawn following concerns over the outbreak of swine fever.

He said: "We do export to America and there is a hold-up.

"We hope this matter can be clarified as quickly as possible."

He said the meat would not be damaged because it is in a frozen container.

Ministry of Agriculture officials were today working to contain the outbreak of swine fever after the EU said it would review its export ban on British pigs next week.

But leading farmer John Rowbottom, who farms at Melbourne, East Yorkshire, said he did not expect the ban to be lifted in the near future.

An EU committee meeting could see the ban on English pig exports eased when it meets on Tuesday if Britain can show the recent outbreak of swine fever has been limited to certain areas.

A Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spokeswoman said the EU's Standing Veterinary Committee could reduce the scope of the ban, which runs until August 31.

But, with further suspected outbreaks discovered in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, Mr Rowbottom said he thought it would take at least a few weeks for trading with Europe to recommence.

And he said the ban was a sensible precaution.

The outbreak of the disease discovered in East Anglia, the first in 14 years, has already caused 12,000 pigs to be slaughtered.