asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is proposed that a scheme of aid be introduced by the European Commission for the improvement of pig slaughtering facilities in the Europeon Community which will be confined to Britain and France only, and if so, the reason this scheme is not also being made available to Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Slaughtering Scheme.
19.
The proposal for aid to improve the facilities for the slaughtering of pigs and the processing of pigmeat in the United Kingdom and France, is one of a number of measures proposed by the Commission for structural improvement in various parts of the Community. Among these measures is the comprehensive structural package for the West of Ireland which will directly benefit pigmeat processing projects in that area and indirectly make funds available for such projects in other parts of the country. The West of Ireland package was adopted by the Council at its meeting from 28 to 30 May.
Is the Minister satisfied that pig slaughtering facilities, outside the west of Ireland, are so good in this country that we can afford not to receive aid which far wealthier countries such as Britain and France are receiving to improve their pig slaughtering facilities?
Since 1973, £4.2 million has been approved for 24 pigmeat projects in Ireland.
I shall repeat the question.
I have heard the question.
I am anxious to get an answer. Is the Minister not aware that there is serious concern about the standards being followed in certain pigmeat slaughtering premises in this country and that this is creating problems both for our exports and our home markets of Irish pigmeat? In view of that, would he not consider it appropriate that if wealthy countries like France and Britain are getting EEC aid to update their pig slaughtering facilities we at least, as the poorest member of the existing Nine members of the EEC, should get the same aid?
As I already informed the Deputy, in a package which has been negotiated moneys are being made available so far as the west is concerned. Moneys are being made available in so far as the western package is concerned. Some £4.2 million has already been approved and paid for 24 pigmeat projects in Ireland since 1973. I am sure the Deputy is well aware that any improvements are always welcome in so far as any of these industries is concerned. It is a question of having priorities.
How many of the pig slaughtering premises in the country are located outside the western region?
I do not know.
Would the Minister not agree that it is a substantial number and that they are just as much in need of improvement as any pig slaughtering premises in France or Britain?
As I indicated in my reply, among these measures is a comprehensive structural package for the west of Ireland which will directly benefit pigmeat processing projects in that area and indirectly make funds available for such projects in other parts of the country.
How will it make funds available for such projects in other parts of the country?
Surely I do not have to spell it out altogether for the Deputy?
Question No. 20.