Vol. 448 No. 3
197 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his projections for the pig industry for the next five years under the headings pig unit numbers and size, numbers employed at farm level, output such as, pigs sold, farm gate per annum and pigmeat markets. [1922/95]
Because of the cyclical nature of the pig industry it is not possible to make predictions for any great period ahead.
At the moment the EU pigmeat market is in an over-supply situation, running at about 105 per cent self sufficiency. Breeding herds in the EU overall are showing a decrease. This should cut back on supplies, and lead to somewhat higher prices to the producer.
It is my objective to ensure that a strong and efficient pig production sector is maintained and developed in this country and that the processing sector continues to improve efficiency and marketing performance.
