Vol. 435 No. 9
192 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he intends to take to rescue the pig industry; if he intends to provide any rescue package for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The EC market for pigmeat is subject to a common organisation. Accordingly, the scope for national measures is extremely limited and primary responsibility for market management and for any special measures rests with the EC.
My Department has, on many occasions this year, brought the difficulties in the pigmeat sector to the notice of the EC Commission and has requested the Commission to take appropriate action. I myself have raised the matter in the Council of Ministers recently. The Commission responded by providing aid for private storage earlier this year and by increasing the refund on certain volumes of exports to former USSR members. Later, this latter measure was reintroduced. I am continuing to monitor the pigmeat market and my Department is maintaining close contact with the EC Commission in the matter.
