Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We track the prices here relative to the prices across the European Union to allow us to compare like with like. We are obliged to make weekly or monthly reports on that to the Commission. Our prices often stand up in respect of comparability, by which I mean the price paid to farmers here relative to prices paid elsewhere. Bear in mind that a processor here exports 90% of what it processes to get it to market whereas other processors in Europe are slaughtering for a market on their doorstep. We are the biggest net exporter of beef in the northern hemisphere, with a small domestic market. I take the Deputy's point, however. It is important that the industry recognises the challenge farmers are facing.

The Deputy's other point was on the pig industry and I apologise for not responding earlier. I met representatives of the pig industry recently and they raised a number of issues with me, which are under consideration.