Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Discussions between the Government and the Irish pig processing sector adjourned early this morning and resumed at 10 o'clock this morning. Progress was made during the discussion and I remain confident of achieving an outcome which will facilitate the early resumption of processing. There is no lack of urgency on the part of the Government; it is acutely aware of the impact the suspension of slaughtering has had on hundreds of producers throughout the country and thousands of workers whose jobs have been compromised by recent events.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, is centrally involved in the discussions and I am available at all times to assist in every way I can. Everyone has an interest in the resumption of slaughtering. Producers have thousands of animals ready for slaughter this week and processors have domestic and international markets to fill. The Government wants to see this significant sector operating at full capacity and the thousands of jobs in the sector secured.

The discussions have considered a number of possible approaches to provide support for the sector. The involvement of the Minister and I is a clear indication of the Government's commitment to achieving a solution and is recognition of the value of the sector. We are conscious of the importance of the pig sector to the Irish agrifood industry and its contribution to the wider economy. Our priority is for processing to resume as a matter of urgency. If agreement on an aid package is reached slaughtering could recommence shortly thereafter.

The European Food Safety Authority is preparing its scientific assessment of the risks to human health of the possible presence of dioxins in pigmeat and pigmeat products from Ireland. It will also evaluate any risks posed by the presence of contaminated pigmeat products from Ireland in composite foods. We expect this assessment to be published today. It will provide a great degree of clarity on the secondary processing sector. The question of liabilities arising there is something that is central to what we are trying to achieve in the urgent ongoing discussions.

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