asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason the cost of production and processing of pig meat is higher in Ireland than in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
147.
Written Answers. - Pig Industry.
146.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied that there is no unfair trading within the EC countries militating against the Irish pig meat processing companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
149.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the plans he has to improve competitiveness of our pig industry in relation to other European countries.
155.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the proposals he has to resolve the current difficulties being experienced by the Irish pig producing and pig processing sector; if he is aware of the current depressed prices and the difficulties that are being experienced due to subsidised imports from Northern Ireland and other member state countries within the EC; if, because of these subsidies, he will consider ensuring the abolition of MCAs on Northern Ireland imports and the abolition of veterinary fees in the processing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146, 147, 149 and 155 together. I am aware of the current difficulties in the pig meat industry. A major contributing cause is weak market demand which, coupled with an oversupply of pigs, is creating problems in many member states of the EC. In order to ease pressure on the Community market the EC scheme of aids to private storage has recently been augmented by an increase in export refunds, which I pressed for at the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers.
Within the Irish pigmeat industry, the greatest need is for rationalisation of slaughtering premises, involving the replacement of many inefficient old plants by a smaller number of larger scale plants which could be operated on a more efficient basis. In addition, processing plants must be modernised so that with the latest equipment and technology more efficient use of resources would be possible. Generous grant aid is available from the IDA and FEOGA to suitable applicants for this purpose. I should also mention that at my request consideration is being given by the EC Commission to the possibility of increasing the level of FEOGA investment aid for pigmeat projects throughout Ireland to that at present available in the disadvantaged regions here. At marketing level, a more aggressive approach to selling at home and abroad is required. More resources need to be devoted to the areas of product quality and diversification into value-added production.
At producer level the industry is well structured and impressive results have been obtained in increasing productivity. It is essential that production costs, particularly with regard to feed, are kept to a minimum and, in this regard, it is in the industry's interest to ensure that cost advantages are not given to competitors.
On veterinary fees, I would remind Deputies that substantial relief has already been provided in this area over the last four years, both by reduction in the level of the fee itself and also by arrangements relating to arrears.
As regards MCAs for the pigmeat sector, these will be the subject of further discussion in the Council of Ministers later this month with a view to determining future arrangements. I will be endeavouring to ensure that our traders will not be disadvantaged by the new system.