Vol. 456 No. 7
57 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the levels of pig and poultry farming in 1995; the comparative figures for each of the years 1970, 1975 and 1980; the proposals, if any, he has to improve and promote pig and poultry farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14420/95]
A total of 2,500 farms are involved in pig production in 1995, compared with 68,000 in 1970, 25,000 in 1975 and 13,000 in 1980. A figure of 1.3 million pigs were delivered for slaughtering at meat export plants up to the end of June 1995. The figure for the full year in 1994 was 2.8 million. Comparative figures for each full year 1970, 1975 and 1980 were 1.9 million, 1.4 million and 2.2 million respectively. Separate statistics are not available for poultry farms. In the year to August 1995 total poultry placings amounted to 38 million. This compares with 20 million in 1970, 24 million in 1975 and 31 million in 1980.
Pigmeat prices are satisfactory in contrast to the situation which prevailed at the end of last year. The improvement in prices followed a number of measures which I took to assist the industry. An Bord Bia earlier this year launched a programme for the promotion of pigmeat on the domestic and export markets. An important priority is to expand the export performance of the sector.
In January of this year I launched the new development strategy for the poultry processing sector. The strategy recognises the major challenges facing the Irish industry from increased imports in the context of the liberalisation of markets.
The pig and poultry sectors are highly integrated and major consolidation has taken place at farm level. The further development of pig and poultry farming depends on improving efficiency at production level and on having a competitive processing sector.
