Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I am aware that he met some of the protesters today. They were impressed by his knowledge of the sector and acknowledgment that they are in crisis and that steps need to be taken to stem it. I do not have to tell him that the pig industry in Ireland is worth €1.7 billion to the economy and employs approximately 8,000 people, but he may not know what it is worth in my local area, west Cork, particularly around my home town, Clonakilty, in addition to Timoleague, Leap, Rosscarbery and the area right into Bandon. That pocket is very heavily reliant on the pigmeat sector. The village of Timoleague is quite big but very much reliant on the sector for employment. Stauntons Foods, right next to the village, employs approximately 300 people. The village is very dependent on the company for its economy and lifeblood. I am acutely aware of what the pig sector means to west Cork.

The loss of any pig farm or industry will have a devastating effect and, therefore, I plead with the Minister to provide an intervention along the lines of what the IFA has sought in its submission. The industry is in big trouble and is making huge losses. It predicts it will have made a loss of €160 million in the short 18-month period between September 2021 and March 2023. We certainly need to intervene. What is occurring is not the fault of the Government but down to international pressures and the lack and cost of feed. Farmers are very welcoming of the €20,000 payment under the exceptional payment arrangement but we need to consider the stability fund. The IFA is seeking €100 million, which would mean €50 million through a levy. The Minister should at least consider this and provide an answer as soon as possible.

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