Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pigmeat Sector.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

358 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will introduce a scheme of financial aid to assist those farmers who have endured very heavy financial losses in view of the serious difficulties that have faced pig producers in the Border region since June 1998 due largely to the lack of adequate slaughtering and processing facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18392/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

The general market weakness in the pigmeat sector in the EU and in Ireland last year was exacerbated in the Border regions by a reduction in slaughter capacity due to a fire at a pigmeat plant in Northern Ireland. The reopening of a plant in County Cavan in October last, together with EU export status being awarded to two slaughtering plants in County Meath and in County Westmeath along with overtime and weekend slaughtering at the plants helped alleviate the situation in relation to slaughtering capacity.

The wider market weakness was addressed at EU level by means of increased export refunds, an EU funded private storage scheme and a substantial food aid package for Russia which included 100,000 tonnes of EU pigmeat. Pigmeat prices have increased by over 23 per cent since the beginning of the year. The indications are that producer prices should continue to increase as supplies are expected to tighten in the final quarter of the year.

The case for financial aid to producers, as referred to by the Deputy, has been examined and cannot be justified in the present circumstances.