Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
865. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 818 of 15 September 2021, the actions he has taken in response to a factory in Northern Ireland ceasing to slaughter pigs from Ireland; if he has concerns regarding the effect this will have on farmers’ income and animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am concerned at reports that labour and CO2 shortages are impacting on pig processing capacity in Norther Ireland. Of course commercial capacity issues in that jurisdiction are not a matter that can be resolved by authorities in this jurisdiction.
In relation to processing capacity in Ireland, the Department has regular engagement with industry on this issue and has facilitated further engagement with the Department of Social Protection in seeking to recruit labour from within the Irish and European Union markets.
The Department has also engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to explore the possibility of further employment permits for certain occupations in meat processing where it is not possible to recruit sufficient labour from within the domestic and European labour pools. These discussions remain ongoing.
I and my officials have also highlighted to the meat processing sector the need to have appropriate labour attraction and retention policies in place, especially as competition for labour grows with the re-opening of the economy in line with the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The Department is closely monitoring the current situation in the pig sector from both an economic and animal welfare perspective. In terms of the current market situation, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by Irish pig producers albeit having come off historically high prices. The Department continues to closely monitor the situation both in Ireland and across the EU.
