Bernard J. Durkan
Question:120 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the annual value of the pig industry; the opportunities for expansion in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5231/02]
Vol. 548 No. 4
120 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the annual value of the pig industry; the opportunities for expansion in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5231/02]
The Irish pig sector performed well in 2001. The estimated annual value of the pig industry was €328 million, IR£258 million, compared to €272 million, IR£214 million, in 2000.
The pig industry's main challenge is to ensure its continued competitiveness in the face of competition from imports on the domestic market, and the competitiveness of our exports on EU and third country markets. Where we have been excluded from third country markets due to FMD, it has been a top priority to regain access once our OIE FMD-free status was restored. This has been successful in the case of the USA, and a Japanese veterinary delegation is due in Ireland in the coming weeks. I am hopeful that, in the case of Japan, we will be successful in re-entering what has been a valuable outlet for Ireland in the past.