Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by pig producers; if she has proposals to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30443/07]

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 29 October 2007. 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. 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.

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.