Vol. 475 No. 1
258 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the falling prices in the pig industry; the extent to which the important of Dutch sides contributes to the price decline; the number of Dutch sides which are being imported; by whom they are being imported and distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4140/97]
Pigmeat prices throughout Europe have been falling gradually over the past six months.
The pattern in Ireland has been the same but it should be recognised that prices over the past two years have been at quite high levels. The main cause of the decline in prices is that pig numbers have increased resulting in increased supplies on the market. Consumption has not kept pace with the increased supplies thereby causing pressure on prices. Export outlets are limited with EU markets being well supplied in the light of the increased production.
The latest figures available to me in relation to imports of pigmeat from the Netherlands show a total of 3,774 tonnes for the period January-August 1996. I have no information on what proportion of those imports were sides or the identity of the importers or to whom the meat was distributed. In 1995 a total of 3,701 tonnes of pigmeat was imported from the Netherlands. While there has been an increase in the level of imports from the Netherlands, this has not been the major factor influencing the trend in market prices.
