asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious difficulties facing pig producers; and if he has any proposals to alleviate the situation.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Producers' Difficulties.
8.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the grave problems of pig producers; the steps he proposes to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. I have had several meetings recently with representatives of pig producers, bacon curers and the Pigs and Bacon Commission about the pigmeat industry and a number of possible ways of improving the situation of the industry are being considered.
In view of the legitimate concern of myself and other Deputies would the Minister give the House more information on the situation at present? At a meeting I attended relatively recently the pig producers were very concerned about the situation. Could the Minister give us some more details?
I can share that concern. It would be premature for me to talk about proposals I have put on behalf of the Government to the pig producers, the Bacon Curers' Society and the Pigs and Bacon Commission. They are at this time considering those proposals. I think it was this day fortnight that those proposals were put to them and I am at present awaiting a response from them.
Appreciating that there may be a certain degree of confidentiality about the situation at present could the Minister indicate any measure of optimism about finding a solution to the problem and give us any time scale as to when such a solution might be reached?
A great effort is being made by all concerned, producers, curers, the Pigs and Bacon Commission, the Department and myself to make some progress regarding the difficulties surrounding the whole of the pig sector at present. I am hopeful that the proposals we have put will find a measure of acceptance at least to resolve some of the problems obtaining at present.
Is the Minister considering proposals to extend the powers of the Pigs and Bacon Commission with a view to improving the marketing of the Irish pig in the light of the decision of the court in the McCarren case which now clears the way for the extension of the Commission's powers? Secondly, is the Minister satisfied at the standards in operation in all factories in regard to quality control for the Irish pig and has he any measures in mind to improve that?
In relation to the first part of the question, these are the subject matter of the discussions and proposals we have had with the interests concerned. As I have said, I am awaiting a response from these interested parties. In relation to the second part of the Deputy's question, I am not sure whether he is talking about actual quality of produce or quality of the premises——
The excess brine being pumped in. Is the Minister aware that there have been serious allegations of excessive amounts of brine being pumped into Irish bacon which is giving it a bad name abroad, when the weight is not in fact bacon but brine which people do not want to consume, and also that there have been other even more serious allegations about weight being pumped up by means which are not alone immoral but illegal? Might I ask the Minister if he is satisfied, as I am not, with the arrangements being made by his Department to police these factories to prevent this happening so that the reputation of Irish bacon abroad can be vindicated and maintained? Would the Minister not agree that this matter is something on which he can himself take action immediately without consulting anyone?
I took action in that regard some months ago in having a uniform type of brine used. Naturally we will make every effort to police it in the hope that the fears mentioned by the Deputy will prove unfounded.