Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has raised a number of issues. I appreciate the problems in the Cavan-Monaghan area, although that is not to detract from the other parts of the world that have issues with the pig and poultry sector. The Minister of State and I have met the Monaghan people on a number of occasions. There are a number of problems, the first of which is a lack of information. This is a major problem which is why I placed an advertisement in the newspapers and I hope, now that Part 3 has been set aside until further information is available, that we can bring this matter to finality as quickly as possible. We need to meet the farmers, talk to them and support them.

In recognition of the pig and poultry sector, I have provided funding this year specifically for new technologies to support both industries, including centrifuge systems to reduce liquid waste, new technologies for chicken litter and a number of other proposals. We have invited proposals from people and are anxious to work with them to ensure that these new schemes will progress. Under the farm waste management scheme, I will provide some funding to the pig industry which will allow it to be recognised for the first time and be supported to the best of our ability.

It is important that farming fraternities work together and that people support each other. Most pig producers have customers and their concern is based on a fear of the customer, that the implications of the directive will be such that they would lose their single farm payment.

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