Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she proposes to take to secure the viability of the pig industry here. [21892/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is engaged in a wide range of activities that are vital to the development of the pig industry. These include national animal health programmes, monitoring of food safety compliance at production premises, the certification of meat for the various markets and improving access to new markets.

Pigmeat features prominently in Bord Bia's programme of promotion on home and export market. I have asked the Bord to intensify its autumn pork and bacon promotion campaign in order to ensure that the market remains firm over the coming months. Considerable Bord Bia resources are also devoted to the pigmeat quality assurance scheme. The Farm Waste Management scheme was extended to the pig sector and I brought in a programme of financial assistance for the transition to welfare-friendly sow housing.

I am firmly in favour of consumers being aware of the origin of the pork and bacon they are purchasing. I am working with the Department of Health and Children on draft legislation that will require the country of origin to be shown on pigmeat and other meats. A public consultation is currently being conducted on the web site of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. This legislation will require the approval of the European Commission.

Another issue facing pig producers is how to deal with pig slurry in a manner that complies with environment protection legislation. I established the Intensive Livestock Working Group to address this issue and the Group is currently examining the possible options for the sector in this regard.

While pig producers are experiencing special difficulties at present due to high feed prices I am convinced that the future prosperity of the industry is secure thanks to exceptional efficiencies at farm level and a committed processing industry.