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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Written Answers. - Pigmeat Sector.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

13 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the level of contact which has taken place recently between his Department and the EU Commission aimed at obtaining improved support for pigmeat producers; the outcome of this contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26349/99]

Brendan Smith

Question:

32 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, in place or under consideration to expand pigmeat processing capacity in the north-west; the avenues being explored to assess the position on an all-Ireland basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26341/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 32 together.

The international pigmeat market has been experiencing serious difficulties over the past year or so due to the combination of oversupply of pigs and substantially reduced demand in the traditional import markets of Russia and the Far East. Ireland's pigmeat sector has not been immune from these developments.

I have raised the continuing difficulties in the pigmeat market directly with Commissioner Fischler and also in the most recent Agriculture Council where I, along with a number of other member states sought urgent action to address the matter. In particular, I sought immediate reinstatement of the high export refund to Russia and the resumption of the food aid programme under which 100,000 tonnes of EU pigmeat was committed to Russia. My Department is in ongoing contact with the Commission on this and every opportunity is used, including most recently at the pigmeat management meeting, to raise the need for urgent action.

I accept that particular difficulties are being experienced by certain producers in the Border regions as a result of the fire at a Northern Ireland pig processing plant in 1998. I have met Commissioner Fischler recently on this and have been in contact with him an a number of occasions since then in relation to a special measure aimed at alleviating the problems for the producers in question. Senior officials of my Department also had meetings with the Commission on the matter and contact is continuing with a view to finding a solution within the constraints of EU State aid law.

As regards the longer term, I accept the issue of slaughter capacity requires examination, in the light of developments in the wider pigmeat market, and particularly based on the experience following the fire at the northern plant. I have requested Enterprise Ireland to carry out an examination of the suitability of slaughtering and processing capacity and its adequacy in terms of the location of pig production on the island as a whole. I understand Enterprise Ireland is making arrangements for a consultancy study to be carried out and I have asked for this to be completed at the earliest possible date.
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