Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
839. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 322 of 20 January 2022, the appropriate solutions to the increased input costs and sustained nature of the difficulties being experienced on the pigment sector that he advocated to be rapidly deployed at the recent European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4544/22]
View answerMinister Heydon and I have met with the main banks to discuss the current challenges facing the pig sector, and the importance of their ongoing support for pig farming customers through the current downturn in the business cycle.
Separately, Minister Heydon and I met with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to discuss the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID- 19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which are financed by my Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These finance schemes can be used for working capital finance and include features which address the current financial needs of pig farmers.
Minister Heydon chaired the Pig RoundTable last week and had a further detailed discussion with all stakeholders, including farm representatives, the banks, the processing industry and the feed industry, on the current difficulties facing pig farmers, arising both from lower market prices and a very significant increase in input costs, which are likely to continue for at least the first half of this year. In terms of State supports Bord Bia outlined the significant efforts being made to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat on the domestic and export markets; and Teagasc outlined the dedicated advisory supports being provided to pig farmers.
My Department will continue to monitor the market situation closely and is examining possible measures, including the market supports provisions of the EU's common market organisation regulation, which could assist in supporting farmers through this significant market disturbance.
