Written Answers Nos. 1373-1390
1374. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the support he will provide to farmers whose land and profits are affected by continuous poor weather conditions; if a full payment of disadvantage area payments will be made in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully aware of the impact of the very difficult weather conditions of recent weeks on farmers and of the potential impact on farm incomes. For that reason, I sought and received EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. This will enable payment to issue immediately following 15 October and will represent the early payment of some €600 million to farmers.
I also fully appreciate the value and importance of the other scheme payments to farmers and I remain committed to ensuring that the maximum numbers are paid at the earliest possible date, mindful, of course, of the over-riding necessity to ensure compliance with the governing EU requirements. Payments under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme (DAS) will be made in September. REPS payments in respect of 2011 are up to date and AEOS payments are well advanced and continue to issue as quickly as possible. My intention is to ensure that payments in respect of 2012 which are due later in the year are brought forward to the earliest possible date.
1375. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will supply a list of all Labour Court recommendations that have been issued in respect of his Department and organisations under his aegis that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37746/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that any Labour Court recommendations issued in respect of my Department have been complied with. With regard to organisations under the aegis of my Department, it would be a matter for the Deputy to enquire from the bodies themselves as to the status of any Labour Court recommendation in respect of those agencies.
1376. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the closure of Teagasc offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37789/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions relating to the future of Teagasc local offices are operational matters for the Teagasc Authority to consider. Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the delivery of education, advisory and research services to the agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and its Board to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act and the Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.
I am aware that Teagasc is currently implementing a major ‘Change Programme’to improve efficiencies, streamline services and promote greater integration across the organisation. As part of this Programme, Teagasc has decided to streamline the existing network of advisory offices in order to concentrate the delivery of services at fewer centres. This decision is entirely a matter for Teagasc and its Board.
I understand from Teagasc that on average, clients visit an advisory office 1.5 times per year. It is their experience that farmers tend to gravitate much more readily to other centres for public events such as seminars, farm walks, demonstrations and information meetings. They have also invested significant resources in rolling out Discussion Groups where groups of farmers visit similar farms and share information and experiences in dialogue facilitated by their Teagasc adviser. Teagasc is committed to the delivery of high quality advisory services to farmers and will still retain a significant network of advisory offices throughout the country when the rationalisation programme is completed.
1377. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the ice plant (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37790/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is responsible for the Ice Plant at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre and it is not within the remit of my Department to directly provide ice making facilities. The future management and operation of the Ice Plant is, therefore, a matter that should be raised with BIM directly.
1378. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding herring licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37792/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2011, I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the North West coast and the Atlanto Scandian stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. I received over 20 sets of proposals and comments in relation to herring stocks management. It was very clear from these documents that there was no agreement within the industry as to how the future herring fishing opportunities should be managed. I asked my Department to examine the proposals received and to prepare for me a number of options, which as far as practically possible, took the views of stakeholders into account while delivering proper and effective management.
On 22 December 2011, I published a draft policy document on the matter which I believed met the objectives to the greatest extent possible. I consulted and met industry regarding the draft policy and again there was no consensus.
Having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries, I came to a decision which I believe provides for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks. The policy is based on giving access to each of the fisheries to those with recent track record in that particular fishery. The track record involves vessels having landed a minimum of 5 tonnes of herring in 2009 or 2010 or in 3 of the 5 years during the period 2006 to 2010. In addition, there are some very limited specified circumstances where an earlier track record may be taken into account.
These are the criteria under which future herring authorisations will be granted and I believe that these track record criteria are objective, transparent and non-discriminatory. The only exception to track record relates to small vessels in the Dunmore area for the Celtic Sea fishery where a small scale local fishery is permitted in line with the Rebuilding/Management Plan for the fishery. The policy also provides for a modest restricted quota for smaller vessels without a track record in both the Celtic Sea and Area VIa.
The decision made was based on a clear, detailed and objective assessment of the fisheries in recent years. This policy is intended to ensure the long term sustainability of the herring fisheries by limiting participation in the main fisheries to those vessels which have participated in the fishery, in the 5 years prior to the commencement of the review, even at a low level.
1379. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will indicate his position on genetically modified organisms; if it is permitted to genetically modify crops here; his views on the recent ban imposed by Poland on a matter (details supplied); if he will consider a similar ban if required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Legislation sets down risk assessment and approval procedures for release and cultivation of GM crops and also GM ingredients used in both food and feed. Only those GMO’s deemed safe by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use as food and feed and also safe to the environment are authorised for use in the European Union.
Within Ireland the issue of genetic modification is dealt with by three Government Departments, as follows:
- GM foods come under the Minister for Health and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland;
- GM feeds and the Coexistence of authorised GM crops alongside non-GM crops rests with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; while,
- Approval to trial GM crops or authorise new GM crops for deliberate release into the environment rests with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environment, Community and Local Government;
Accordingly, my Department’s sole responsibility with regard to the cultivation of GM crops is in relation to coexistence measures in the event that commercial GM crops are grown alongside conventional crops.
Given that GM crops are not cultivated commercially in Ireland and are unlikely to be for the foreseeable future, the issue of cultivation and coexistence does not arise at present. In relation to the authorisation and use of products consisting of or containing authorised GM ingredients in animal feed, my Department adopts, on the basis of scientific evaluation, a positive but precautionary approach to EU applications for the authorisation of GM ingredients in food and feed and supports applications which have been deemed to be safe by EFSA.
In regard to the recent application to the EPA by Teagasc to carry out field trials on a genetically modified potato, with improved resistance to late potato blight, it must be pointed out that these trials do not constitute cultivation of a commercial crop and that under the EPA consent attached to this approval, they will be subject to strict conditions with regular monitoring and reporting to the EPA for compliance. I understand that Polish proposals on the GMO MON810 refer to planting of the crop only and have yet to be ratified.
1380. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability who have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37830/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the staff engaged by my Department since 1 January 2011, one staff member has declared a disability. My Department also supports programmes such as the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which offers 6 months paid mentored work experience placements to graduates with disabilities. Five such placements were facilitated during 2011 and 2012. As the Deputy will be aware, the declaration of a disability is a voluntary matter for the individual concerned. Last March, my Department reported in accordance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 that 3.2% of the Department’s employees had declared a disability as defined under the Act. There are currently 3,300 (full time equivalent) staff in my Department.
1381. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the number of farmers who received single payment in 2011 in each of the following categories, €100,000 or more; €75,000 and less than €100,000; €50,000 and less than €75,000; €25,000 and less than €50,000; €10,000 and less than €25,000; and less than €10,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37860/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details sought by the Deputy are as per the following tabular statement.
|
Band |
No of farmers paid SPS in 2011 |
|
> €99,999.99 |
243 |
|
€75,000 - €99,999.99 |
416 |
|
€50,000 - €74,999.99 |
1,388 |
|
€25,000 - €49,999.99 |
7,995 |
|
€10,000 - €24,999.99 |
30,091 |
|
0 - €9,999.99 |
83,650 |
1382. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have single farm payment entitlements of in excess of €1,000 per hectare; the number of farmers with entitlements of between €500 per hectare and less than €1,000 per hectare; the number with entitlements of between €250 and less than €500 per hectare; the number with entitlements of between €100 per hectare and less than €250 per hectare; the number with entitlements of less than €100 pe hectare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37861/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1428. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of both the entitlements and the number of hectares for farmers in receipt of the single payment, with the entitlements per hectare cross referenced to the number of hectares in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39176/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1382 and 1428 together.
This table sets out the information requested.
|
2010 payment category per hectare |
Number of farmers |
Total Area (ha) |
|
Less than €100 per ha * |
24,042 |
787,109 |
|
€100 to €250 per ha |
45,105 |
1,488,474 |
|
€250 to €500 per ha |
53,142 |
2,101,559 |
|
€500 to €1,000 per ha |
7,401 |
332,799 |
|
Greater than €1,000 per ha |
221 |
7,620 |
|
TOTAL |
129,911 |
4,717,560 |
Notes: The total of 129,911 farmers excludes 1,891 farms with eligible area under 3 hectares.
1383. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when he intends re-opening the agri-environment options scheme; if this scheme, when re-opened, will be open to farmers on non Natura 2000 sites; if it is proposed to retain the stonewall maintenance option at €0.50 per meter up to a maximum of €2,000 as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37891/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the importance of agri environment payments to the agriculture sector and am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) to allow for the submission of new applications. I am examining the situation against the background of the strict budgetary constraints which are in place and the difficult choices which must be made in managing limited resources and competing demands. I will make an announcement as soon as I have reached a decision on the matter.
1384. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he intends to change the cross-compliance rules for small farmers under 10 hectare so that they do not suffer total loss of their grants for very small hectarage of over claims and where a 3% over-claim is at most 0.3 of a hectare and often much less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37892/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPenalties will not be imposed on the Single Farm Payment in relation to an over-declaration of eligible areas if the total eligible area determined (found) is equal to or greater than the number of payment entitlements held by the applicant. Under the provision of Regulation (EC) No 1122/2009, which is directly applicable in Ireland and all other Member States, where the claimed area is over-declared and the total eligible area determined is not sufficient to support the number of entitlements held, then penalties will be applied in accordance with the provisions of Articles 55, 56, 57, 58 and 60 of above-mentioned Regulation. These Articles also refer to the Grassland Sheep Scheme, the Protein Aid Scheme and the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme.
Regarding the Single Payment Scheme, if there is a difference between the payment entitlements held and the area declared on the application, the calculation will be based on the lower of the two figures. If the difference is less than 3% of the area found, payment will be based on the area found. However, if the difference is greater than 2 hectares, the penalties as outlined below will be applied. If the difference between the declared area and the determined area is equal to or less than 0.1 hectares, payment is based on the declared (claimed) area.
|
Difference between the number of eligible hectares determined (found) and the number of hectares declared or the number of Single Payment entitlements held if lower. |
Level of Reduction/Exclusion |
|
If the difference is greater than 3% but not more than 20% of the area determined (found), or if the area not determined is less than 3% but greater than 2 hectares for the crop group concerned: |
Payment is based on the number of eligible hectares determined (found) reduced by twice the difference (in hectares) between the number of hectares declared or the number of entitlements held if lower. |
|
If the difference is greater than 20% of the area determined (found): |
No payment is made under the Single Payment Scheme for the Scheme Year in question. |
|
Greater than 50%: |
No payment is made under the Single Payment Scheme for the Scheme Year in question and an administrative fine amounting to the value of the Single Payment on the number of hectares over-declared (that is, the difference between the number of hectares determined (found) and the number of hectares declared or the number of Single payment Scheme entitlements held if lower) will be offset against any EU payment due to the applicant during the course of the three calendar years following the year in which the determination was made. |
- Where there is an intentional over-declaration of area up to 20%, no SPS payment will be made in the year of application. This provision will apply if the difference between the area declared and area determined is more than 0.5% of the area determined or more than one hectare.
- Where there is an intentional over-declaration of area over 20%, no payment is made under the Single Payment Scheme for the Scheme Year in question and an administrative fine amounting to the value of the Single Payment on the number of hectares over-declared (that is, the difference between the number of hectares determined (found) and the number of hectares declared or the number of Single payment Scheme entitlements held) will be offset against any EU payment due to the applicant made during the course of the three calendar years following the year in which the determination was made.
If the declared area is subject to any reduction or exclusion, including a reduction of less than 3%, and the applicant holds more than one set of payment/entitlements, the payment is calculated on the average value of the entitlements held. The average is based on the number of hectares declared.
This penalty regime will also apply, where applicable, to area over-declarations under the Grassland Sheep Scheme and the Protein Aid Scheme, REPS and AEOS schemes.
1385. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will consider amending the rules in relation to neighbouring herds, where a doubtful animal is found on a farm during a TB test, farmers must re-test their animals if they have not been tested in the last four months, by relaxing this rule to six months particularly in view of the very difficult year in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37896/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe bovine TB eradication programme includes a comprehensive range of measures aimed at eradicating TB from the cattle population in Ireland through testing and the control of cattle movements in order to prevent the spread of disease. More specifically, the programme provides for the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the implementation of a range of supplementary tests and the restriction of herds where TB is disclosed or suspected.
The eradication programme is reviewed on an ongoing basis by my Department in light of experience and research. Following a review conducted on the programme last year, my Department introduced a number of changes in order to ensure that the programme addressed all potential sources of infection and to prevent the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds. These changes, which were made following a number of consultation meetings with the farming organisations, are, firstly, based on research which demonstrate that there are increased risks attached to the movement of certain animals and, secondly, are designed to protect clear herds from buying in high risk animals.
With regard to the Contiguous testing programme, herdowners whose herds are adjoining a holding where a high risk TB breakdown has been disclosed, usually involving more than one reactor, are required to have their herd tested if it has not been tested within the preceding 4 months. I should clarify that herds which adjoin a herd where a doubtful reactor has been disclosed are not included in a contiguous testing programme. The only change which my Department has made to the contiguous testing arrangements is that herds adjoining a high risk breakdown are now being trade restricted, except to slaughter, pending a TB test. Previously, such herds were permitted to sell cattle on the open market prior to carrying out the test and research had shown that this posed a risk to clear herds. Research has shown the TB risk relating to animals that move out of herds which have been identified as contiguous to a herd experiencing an active high risk TB breakdown is almost 3 times greater than the risk in the case of herds tested on a round test. The objective of the restriction is to protect clear herds from buying in infected animals from these herds and thereby avoid the situation where a clear herd that buys in infected cattle is required to carry out a minimum of 2 herd tests and is restricted for 4 months.
With regard to the four month testing interval, the choice of four months as the benchmark period under this programme has been part of the contiguous testing programme for the past 30 years. The four month period is related to the time interval from when an animal may be exposed to infection and the expectation that a test will give a positive result, if the animal is infected. In line with the new procedures relating to overdue tests, it is open to herd owners who have a genuine reason for delaying the contiguous test to get in contact with my Department and the test can be deferred for up to one month without penalty. I would also emphasise that staff in my regional offices will always be available to discuss, with any affected herd owner, the particular circumstances relating to their herd.
I believe that the restriction on contiguous herds pending a test should have a very limited effect on trade in cattle. In effect, it is only those herds in which TB is disclosed that will be restricted for any significant period of time. Finally, I would underline that the primary objective of the restriction is to reduce the risk that farmer purchasers of animals will unknowingly buy a potentially infected animal from a higher risk herd.
1386. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will acknowledge the potential for job creation, investment and expansion in the aquaculture industry by expediting the processing of applications for aquaculture licences in Castlemaine Harbour, County Kerry as the appropriate assessment has now been completed for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37897/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCastlemaine Harbour is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site). My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has engaged in a major programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of aquaculture sites located within designated Natura areas, including Castlemaine Harbour.
The setting of Conservation Objectives and the carrying out of an Appropriate Assessment for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the conservation objectives has been completed in respect of Castlemaine. The general licensing implications are currently being examined by my Department as a priority and it is expected that the public consultation stage of the licensing process will commence shortly. My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of the Castlemaine aquaculture licence applications having regard to the need to comply with all relevant national and EU legislation.
1387. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta; Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé i gceist an oifig talmhaíochta atá ag a Roinn i gCathair na Gaillimhe a bhogadh go Baile Átha an Rí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37898/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAr Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí atá an mhórfhreagracht cóiríocht a sholáthar do mo Roinnse. In athbhreithniú a rinneadh le déanaí ar an gcostas a bhain le cóiríocht agus ar na roghanna atá ann maidir le malairt áitribh shocraigh an OPW briseadh ón gconradh reatha. Dá réir sin, tá mo Roinnse ag obair leis an OPW chun socruithe nua a dhéanamh d’fhoireann Oifig Réigiúnach na Gaillimhe agus beidh aon chinntí a ghlactar bunaithe ar a riachtanais-san sa ghearrt éarma agus sa bhfadtéarma. Táimid faoi láthair ag déanamh measúnaithe ar an bhféadfadh go bhfuil malairt cóiríochta ar fáil i bhfoirgneamh na Roinne Cosanta ar an Rinn Mhór, Gaillimh agus i gColáiste Mhaoilíosa, Baile Átha an Rí araon.
1388. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding stocking density (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37902/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU Regulation 21/2004, all sheep keepers must count the sheep present in the flock on the holding, record the number in the flock register and are legally obliged to return this number to my Department. The requirement to complete and return the Sheep Census is a legal one, even where there are no sheep on the holding during the period designated. Failure to complete and return the form to my Department may lead to penalties under cross compliance.
Insofar as the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is concerned, in order to make the necessary savings, a range of technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria were introduced, with the agreement of the EU Commission, to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows: To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community; To maintain the countryside; To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.
I did, however, give the commitment that all applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, would be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation and, in this regard, I can confirm that in excess of 10,000 have been written to and afforded the opportunity to seek derogation from the 0.3 livestock unit requirement. In the region of 9,000 responded and these applications are currently being processed.
1389. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his plans to put together a new agri environment options scheme for farmers for the remainder of 2012; the steps he has taken on the matter; the meetings he has had with farming organisations on the issue; if funding been secured to resource the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the importance of agri environment payments to the agriculture sector and am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) to allow for the submission of new applications. I am examining the situation against the background of the strict budgetary constraints which are in place and the difficult choices which must be made in managing limited resources and competing demands. I will make an announcement as soon as I have reached a decision on the matter.
1390. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his views on pig and poultry producers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37916/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarket prices for cereal-based animal feed and soya are a function of global supply and demand dynamics, currency relativities, weather conditions and other external factors. Increasing feed prices in 2012 are primarily a function of poor weather conditions in the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Russia and the Ukraine. The expected shortage in cereals comes on top of relatively poor harvests in recent years, a growing world population and a rising middle class in China. Thus there is a rising demand for animal feed and animal feed based products at a time when supplies are short.
Increasing feed prices are an issue for all meat sectors, but in Ireland are felt most acutely in the pig and poultry sectors, where feed costs represent some 70% of the overall cost of production. Against this background, producers have in recent years taken measures to increase feed efficiency and output per unit. In the pig sector, increases in feed prices are partly offset by high pigmeat prices. For the week ending 9th September the Irish average price per 100kgs was €166.02, compared to €147.63 in the same week in 2011. This represents a 12.46% increase.
The production model in the poultry meat sector in Ireland is quite different to that in the pigmeat sector, with a high degree of vertical integration between processors, who supply stock, feed and other inputs, and growers, who typically provide housing and capital equipment and who rear the stock to slaughter age. In this sector the prices paid to growers depend on contractual arrangements with the processors. EU market statistics published last month suggest that broiler prices across the EU are marginally higher than in 2011, while CSO statistics for July suggest that output prices are 20.6% higher than last year.
My Department and its agencies have supported both the pigmeat and poultry sectors through the provision of capital investment grants to assist in compliance with welfare regulations, through Bord Bia’s promotional campaigns and through the development and operation of the Bord Bia Pigmeat and Poultry Quality Assurance Programmes (PQAS), which are a critical component in consolidating the position of Irish product on the domestic market.
In so far as international trade is concerned, I have been extremely active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long term trading relationships in the future. For example, during my trade mission to China earlier this year I raised the issue of market access for both pigmeat and poultry, and I hope that this engagement will ultimately deliver a considerable return for the Irish pig and poultry sectors.
In the context of CAP post 2013, I will continue to press for the retention of flexible market support schemes which can be deployed as a safety net when circumstances require, to ameliorate the worst effects of price volatility. Indeed the Aid to Private Storage Scheme introduced for pigmeat in 2011 played a significant role in putting a floor under pigmeat prices at that time. This, together with the release of cereal stocks from intervention, improved the situation somewhat last year.
In addition, Teagasc, through its Moorepark Pig Research facility and the provision of FETAC courses in pig production and benchmarking pig herd performance, has played a critically important role in improving productive performance at farm level.
Furthermore, my Department has hosted inspection visits from a number of other countries and negotiations are continuing with a view to opening new markets and expanding the presence of Irish pigmeat in existing markets. And of course, Bord Bia continues, through its marketing and promotional activities, and through the PQAS, to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and Third Country markets.
While I recognise that these are difficult times for these sectors, I am confident that, if all stakeholders work together, their long-term future will be secure.
