Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Carthy for the constructive way he has raised this issue with the focus being on how we can support pig farmers at a very difficult time. I have been engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister of State, Deputy English, in particular, about the workforce. We will work to try to expedite the capacity for workforce permits for the processing sector, which is very important and has been under pressure.

With regard to the SBCI and loans, I explored the option of a potential separate pig fund or a new scheme for pigs. However, from meeting with banks and the SBCI, it is clear that the Brexit loan scheme is in place and the Covid credit guarantee scheme is available and they apply to pig farmers here. They provide an 80% State-backed guarantee of the loan funding and therefore, lower interest rates and unsecured credit of up to €500,000. Those schemes are very much in place and there is no limit to the amount of funding available through them. Both of them are open for pig farmers to apply and the banks are being very clear with farmers on that. Lower interest rates and unsecured credit are provided. That support mechanism is there.

With regard to the Brexit adjustment reserve or other measures, I will explore all options. Obviously, there is the issue of state aid. Capacity for any schemes would have to be led and provided for at European level for anything of significance to be available to the sector. I will continue to raise it and engage with the Commissioner and the Commission on that. They committed to exploring it and closely monitoring the situation, but I will be raising it again. I will be in Strasbourg for the EU Council meeting this weekend and will raise it once more.

Like Deputy Carthy, I am very much aware of the pressure and stress facing farmers here. Agriculture is a difficult industry, but of all the sectors within it, I often look at the pig sector and wonder at the stresses and strains associated with its cyclical nature. This is an example of a significant cyclical impact. When one is at the low end, it is very unclear when one will come out of it. I want to work with farmers to support them through this period.

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