Vol. 493 No. 3
207 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures, if any, he proposes to introduce to address the crisis in the pig industry arising out of the destruction of a company (details supplied) and ensuing loss of slaughter facilities for pig farmers along with the reduced pig meat prices and increased pigmeat importation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16010/98]
There is no indication that the recent destruction of a pigmeat slaughtering plant in County Antrim will cause difficulties for pig producers in the South, as far as slaughterings are concerned. While it is known that the plant was sourcing some of its supplies south of the Border, it is likely that other large plants in Northern Ireland will increase their kill substantially. In addition there is spare pigmeat slaughtering capacity in the South, which will be capable of dealing with increased slaughterings if necessary.
In mid-May, at the request of a number of member states, including Ireland, the EU Commission introduced export refunds for fresh and frozen carcases, and some specified bone-in cuts. I have followed this up in the past fortnight and have requested the Commission to have export refunds extended to boneless product also. The refunds are beginning to have the desired effect with the average Irish pigmeat price for week ending 20 June 1998 showing an upward trend.
With regard to Irish pigmeat importation, of the 31,300 tonnes involved in 1997, only 269 tonnes came from non-EU countries.
