In December 1995 total pig numbers were 2.9 per cent up on the figure for December 1994. It will take some months however before the increased number of pigs comes through to slaughter stage, but supplies should improve in the latter part of the year.
The cost of composite pig meal, as compiled by Teagasc, has only slightly risen in 1995 and in the first few months of 1996 it has risen more steeply. This reflects an increase worldwide in the price of certain cereals, which is also affecting other EU member states.
On several occasions last year I raised the matter of feed prices in the whitemeat sector at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels and directly with the EU Commission. However, the Commission has indicated that it is not prepared to take action on the basis that it would lead to competition distortions between the different regions of the European Union.