Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
351. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the scheme of support announced for the pigmeat sector will issue to farmers; if he will ensure that payments issue without delay in view of the serious financial pressures facing this sector at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12310/22]
View answerI am acutely aware of the challenges that Irish pig farmers are currently facing, due to a combination of extremely low prices and extraordinarily high input costs.
I, along with other Agriculture Ministers, have called for an integrated EU-wide approach and for the Commission to deploy appropriate solutions to the current crisis. However, the Commission has consistently directed Member States instead to deminimis and other state aids.
A number of measures have been brought forward to support the Irish pig sector including intensification of promotion activity by Bord Bia and advisory supports from Teagasc.
There is also support for access to finance through 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, and can be used for working capital.
I announced on 22nd February, the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS) which is a €7 million support scheme for commercial pig farmers who produced 200 or more pigs in 2021. This is an urgent, short-term response assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals.
Details on the application process will be made available shortly.
