Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I am talking about facilitating the people who slaughter. The trade notice also stated: "As and from 7 December 2008, pigs may not be slaughtered unless they are accompanied by a document indicating the source(s) of the animal feed used in the holding of origin." That clarification went out on Sunday evening or night to the trade.

In response to Deputy Johnny Brady, I said earlier that discussions are ongoing. It is in everybody's interests to try to get them concluded. The processor Deputy Enright mentioned slaughters approximately 50% of the country's total pig production in a year. There are a number of major players that it is essential to have back in operation, some of whom are in my county and also in the midlands and the south.

See this speech in context