Vol. 354 No. 12
(Limerick West), Mr. J. Walsh and Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture in view of the unrest in the pig industry as a result of a statement issued by the Pigs and Bacon Commission that they intend to wind up their operation because of inadequate funding, if he will take the necessary action to ensure the survival of this body; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
293.
asked the Minister for Agriculture in view of the imminent winding up of the Pigs and Bacon Commission, the measures, if any, planned by him to ensure that export outlets continue to be available to pig producers; and if, given that the pig sector is efficiently organised at production level, he considers it a matter of urgency to take measures to ensure that pig exports are not jeopardised.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together. The decision taken by the industry-run private company, Pigs and Bacon Commission Limited (PBC Ltd) to wind down its operations is one which, naturally, I regret. However, I appreciate the difficulties that it encountered in obtaining adequate financing from the industry. The fact that certain curers were unwilling to support its centralised exporting activities added to the company's difficulties.
Since the announcement of PBC Ltd's decision, meetings have been held with both curer and producer representatives to discuss among other things the implications for the export trade in pigmeat. The industry is well aware of my belief that centralised exporting is in the best interests of the pigmeat sector since otherwise the volume of exports is likely to decline. In the final analysis, however, the industry must decide for itself what export arrangements will suit it best and it is not possible to impose any particular arrangement on it.
