Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 465: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that it is the intention to include all producers and processors, including those involved in the preparation of affected value-added products, in a comprehensive compensation scheme arising from the decision to have all pork and bacon products withdrawn from the supply chain and to suspend all associated operations pending confirmation and approval to recommence operations and restore the industry to full production levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46302/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following the recall of pork products initiated on 6 December 2008, and on the basis of an ongoing evaluation process by my Department and other agencies involved in this issue I confirmed on 10 December 2008 that all the necessary controls are now in place to enable the restoration of supplies of Irish pork and bacon to consumers.

The recalled product is classified as Category 1 ABP under the Regulation and the options available for disposal are either through rendering at Category 1 rendering plants or export for incineration. Negotiations to ensure that this is done in the most cost effective manner are underway with a view to bringing a swift conclusion to this issue. It is envisaged that the disposal process will take a period of weeks as the material concerned is additional to the normal flow of material for disposal.

A Product Recall Scheme is in course of preparation. This scheme of assistance will apply to product recalled and product in storage resulting from the dioxin contamination. In addition, a scheme to compensate producers of detained animals is being negotiated at present.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the evaluation process to conclude (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46305/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following the recall of pork products initiated on 6 December 2008, and on the basis of an ongoing evaluation process by my Department and other agencies involved in this issue I confirmed on 10 December 2008 that all the necessary controls are now in place to enable the restoration of supplies of Irish pork and bacon to consumers.

These controls, which were developed over a very short period, are being implemented by Department or local authority veterinary personnel at pigmeat slaughtering and processing plants.

The purpose of the controls is to ensure that only pigmeat certified as coming from herds that are completely unaffected by the current feed contamination issue enters the food chain and is supplied to consumers.

The controls allow those involved in the pigmeat industry to resume the supply and sale of Irish pork and bacon products in which the consumer can have full confidence. The decisive and rapid action taken by my Department and other agencies is part of a determined domestic and international marketing campaign.

All such products will carry a special label, developed by An Bord Bia, which will confirm that they are perfectly safe to consume and verifies them as having had no association with potentially contaminated feed.

Specific details of the control arrangements in relation to pigmeat produced up to 6 December 2008 are set out as follows.

With regard to pigmeat produced between 1st September 2008 and 6th December 2008, if the processor can demonstrate to the competent authority (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or Local Authority Veterinary Service) that individual consignments of pig meat or pig meat products were entirely derived from pigs which did not come from any of the restricted pig herds, then these consignments can be released onto the market.

For pigmeat and pigmeat products produced prior to 1st September 2008, my Department is satisfied, based on the available information, that the pigs from which these products were derived were not fed any of the dioxin contaminated pig feed. These products can remain on the market.

Further information is available on the Department's website or from the special helpline number at 1800 30 30 52.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to secure the most favourable arrangements and terms possible for the producers and processors of pigmeat with the Irish banking and financial services sector to help relieve the difficulties being experienced with cash-flows having dried up, creditors pressing for payment and thousands of workers either on temporary lay-off or protective notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46306/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The agreement the Taoiseach and I concluded with pigmeat processors early last Thursday morning involved making available a facility of €180 million from the public finances to assist processors in funding the recall and destruction of certain pork products from the market and products in storage. This support provided the mechanism to enable processors secure the working capital required to fund their current operations. As a result of the package processing plants resumed operations last week. Contact was made at an early stage by my Department with the main banks involved with the pig processing sector to outline the actions being taken by Government in assisting the withdrawal of product.