Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the policy measures he will introduce in view of the escalating increase in the price of feedstuffs and the resulting pressure on the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25602/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The worldwide increase in the price of cereals over the last 18 months, partly due to adverse weather conditions, has caused the price of compound animal feeds to increase by about 30%. However, the acreage directed to cereal cultivation has increased significantly in 2008, helped by increased market demand and the suspension of the obligation to set 10% of arable land aside. I am hopeful that these factors, coupled with the elimination of import duties for cereals, will help to ease the pressures on feed costs. In addition an aid for private storage scheme and an increase in export refunds were also introduced to specifically address the issue of feed prices for the pigmeat sector.