Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2010
625 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if money saved on the pigmeat recall scheme will be available to fund a stock and crop hardship fund for farmers and growers affected by extreme weather conditions. [5150/10]
View answer628 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of savings on the pork recall scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5366/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 625 and 628 together.
I am aware of the difficulties experienced by farmers and others as a result of the recent inclement weather conditions.
In that regard I have received representations on behalf of growers in relation to losses to potatoes and vegetable crops arising from the severe frost conditions since Christmas and the matter is currently being considered by my Department.
Under the Agreement between my Department and the Pigmeat industry, a financial facility of up to €180m was made available to deal with the consequences of the pigmeat recall, following the dioxin incident of December 2008. To date my Department has processed and paid approximately €85 million in respect of applications for compensation in relation to pigmeat products withdrawn from the market. Payment applications are still being processed under the Scheme and it is not possible at this stage to say whether there will be any savings in the 2010 estimates provision.
626 Deputy Máire Hoctor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if consideration has been given to providing compensation to potato farmers who have lost large portions of their crop because of the recent weather conditions. [5265/10]
View answerI am aware that due to very wet conditions in November 2009 a proportion of the total national area of potatoes remained unharvested at the end of the year. Since Christmas Ireland has experienced very severe frost conditions which have resulted in losses to potatoes. The extent of losses would be influenced by location and the extent to which the potatoes were exposed.
I have received representations on behalf of growers in relation to the losses incurred and the matter is currently being considered by officials in my Department.
