Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I ask the Minister about the issue of product displacement from the shelves, which is the major concern. Is there any way the Minister can protect the industry here particularly from imports? On my way to Dublin I spoke to a small food producer who produces sausages, rashers and black puddings. It is a very small industry outside Cashel with traceability. It is wrong to say there is no traceability in the pig industry. The Minister has not asked about traceability enough and checked what traceability these people have. I have here written codes for times they received products and the suppliers, yet the Minister called it all back. The Minister and his officials have much to answer for regarding what they have done to the pig industry. I am very concerned. I stood with this lady outside her door this morning. She employs seven people and has been in production only two years. She is one of the most thorough and efficient people I have ever met in business. The Government has many questions to answer on what I believe is very important. What is the Minister doing about the displacements that will come in from outside countries? Will he go further on traceability in the bacon industry?

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