Billy Timmins
Question:70 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures he has put in place to assist the pig industry since January 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9263/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2004
Questions (70)
Written answers
The current market for pigmeat is positive, and prices paid to Irish producers are considerably up on prices available at the start of the year. Irish pigmeat prices are currently above the EU average. While at EU level Ireland, along with other EU member states, experienced poor market prices in 2003, the increase in EU market supports in the form of aids to private storage and an export refund scheme earlier this year contributed to a significant increase in prices. Those measures were temporary in nature and, following the increase in prices, have been terminated.
Along with my Northern Ireland counterpart, I commissioned a comprehensive study of the all-island pig industry. The study was conducted by Prospectus consultants in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and Enterprise Northern Ireland, and the report was produced in 2001. The key recommendations of the report highlight the need for rationalisation of the pig processing sector, improved supply-chain management and the need to develop more consumer convenient pigmeat products. While those findings are largely matters for the industry itself, my Department has been moving forward those recommendations with the main players in the pig industry, and that process will continue.
The health status of the pig herd is also a matter of major importance. My Department is engaged with the pig industry in the ongoing monitoring and control of a wide range of diseases, such as Aujeszky's disease, salmonella and PRRS, which, as well as improving the health status of the national herd, is necessary to maximise the acceptability of Irish pigmeat in export destinations. Also, pig processing plants operate under the supervision of the Department's veterinary service.
With regard to market access, it is my policy and that of the Government to ensure that Irish producers have access to markets world-wide. Irish pigmeat processors are currently trading pigmeat in significant markets such as Japan and the United States. My Department will continue to work with Bord Bia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the industry to identify and develop other potential markets.
The Teagasc programme of activities includes research in the area of pig nutrition, health and welfare. The main objectives of the advisory function regarding the pig sector are better profitability and competitiveness based on improved growth rates, and that is delivered to producers through farm visits, conferences, newsletters, etc.