Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the factors that have contributed to the increase in feed prices for pigs. [26223/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The rise in feed prices over the last 6 months can be attributed to a number of factors such as (i) heavy demand for cereals in Asia (ii) the increased demand for feed materials from the biofuel industry and (iii) unfavourable weather conditions which affected many of the major cereal growing countries.

The EU Council of Agriculture Ministers has, in response to the pressures on the international cereal and feed markets, agreed to suspend the obligation to set 10% of arable land aside. This will ensure that more arable land is available for cereal cultivation in 2008.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will establish a crisis strategy to deal with the problems that are currently forcing 30% of pig producers to operate at a loss. [26224/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the concern at the current problems in the pig sector and I will continue to pursue appropriate solutions. At both EU and national level, measures are being taken to alleviate the difficulties.

The EU Council of Agriculture Ministers has, in response to the pressures on the international cereal and feed markets, agreed to suspend the obligation to set 10% of arable land aside. This will ensure that more arable land is available for cereal cultivation in 2008.

A scheme of financial assistance for the private storage of pigmeat has been in place since last Monday. This was adopted by the European Commission in response to a request from me and some other Member States. I have also impressed on the Commission the desirability of export refunds for fresh and frozen pigmeat and this will be kept under consideration.

At national level, pigmeat features prominently in Bord Bia's programme of promotion on the home and export markets. 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. Additional funding is being made available for this. The Bord Bia quality assurance schemes are also a good tool in maintaining consumer confidence and, in this context, the pigmeat scheme is well established and managed.

I am working with the Minister for Health and Children towards the introduction of legislation to provide better information to consumers on the origin of pigmeat and other meats. The public consultation on the proposed regulations has been completed and the comments received will now be examined. Following that, the European Commission's approval of the legislation will be sought

Other relevant support actions include the extension of the farm waste management scheme to the pig sector and my Department's programme of financial assistance for the transition to welfare-friendly sow-housing.

While there is no denying the current challenging situation, I am glad to see that the Irish pig price has held firm in recent weeks, at a time of the year when prices normally deteriorate. As a result, the positioning of the Irish price relative to the EU average has improved considerably. Within the framework of the EU common agricultural policy, I will continue to ensure that pig producers' problems are highlighted with a view to suitable action.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on the merits of genetically modified based animal feed stuffs. [26225/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The rules governing the marketing and use of GM crops for animal feed within the Community are set down in EU legislation that has been jointly adopted by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. This legislation is binding on all Member States.

In the context of the current production and marketing environment in which the Irish livestock industries operate, I am of the view that GM feed is acceptable when it has been authorised for placing on the market within the EU under the relevant legislation following the delivery of a European Food Safety Authority opinion concluding that the placing of it on the market is unlikely to have any adverse effects on human or animal health or the environment in the context of its intended use and that the GM cereals from which it is derived are as safe as their conventional counterparts.