Vol. 514 No. 3
149 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for grant assistance to pig producers to enable them to reach the higher animal welfare standards imposed by European Union rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4243/00]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for grant assistance to pig producers but, as I indicated in my reply to Question No. 255 on 26 January, the precise disbursement of funding under this heading has yet to be determined.
Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs has been transposed into national rules by the European Communities (Welfare of Pigs) Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 91 of 1995). The regulations set down rules for the accommodation of pigs and the general conditions to be met to protect the health and welfare of pigs. Article 6 of the directive requires the EU Commission to submit to the Council of Ministers a report, drawn up on the basis of an opinion from the Scientific Veterinary Committee, on the intensive systems of pig rearing which comply with the welfare requirements of pigs from the pathological, zootechnical, physiological and behavioural points of view and on the socio-economic implications of the different systems. The Commission report must in particular take into account the welfare of sows reared in varying degrees of confinement and in groups. The report, in the light of its conclusions, must be accompanied by appropriate proposals for amendment of the directive. My Department has been in touch with the Commission to request that the report and the accompanying proposals be brought forward as soon as possible.
I would be anxious that any new scheme of grant assistance for Irish pig farmers should take account of both current and prospective developments at European Union level.
