asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will elaborate on the extensions relating to the EEC pig subsidy scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Subsidy Scheme.
48.
Payment of the temporary EEC subsidy on eligible clean pigs was originally confined to pigs delivered to bacon factories and registered pork export premises. I have since arranged to extend payments, where feasible, to certain premises at which large numbers of pigs are slaughtered for sale on the home market. These are premises at which slaughtering of all pigs is already being inspected ante and post mortem by a local authority veterinary officer, which are suitably equipped for weighing the pig carcases and at which other relevant requirements can be fulfilled.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that at the present time it is not possible to produce a bacon pig profitably? In fact the usual experience of farmers is that they lose from £2 to £5 in the production of a bacon pig. Is he further aware of a recent study done by Keele University into the prospects of the Irish bacon industry in the next five years which anticipates a drop in production to 25 per cent of its present level? If he is so aware, has he any comment to make? Can the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary at this late stage give some guidance, advice and encouragement to the small pig producers who are being pressed out of business?
The question relates to the extension of the EEC pig subsidy scheme which I have answered.
(Interruptions.)
The time has expired for questions. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.