Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 966: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied regarding the future of the pig meat industry; if the lessons learned in the past year have been put to good effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11295/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 967: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the future development and expansion of the pig meat industry at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11296/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 966 and 967 together.

Teagasc has prepared a development strategy for the Irish pig industry, which identifies the issues facing the sector and makes certain recommendations. The 'Pig Industry Strategy Steering Group', which includes representation from my Department and all sectors of the industry, has been established for the purpose of furthering those recommendations. This group will identify, prioritise and promote actions needed to ensure a viable sustainable future for the pig sector.

Following on from the dioxin incident, it remains important to re-assure markets as to the safety and quality of Irish pigmeat. Bord Bia has put in place a number of relevant marketing and promotion initiatives. On the Irish market, a series of promotional campaigns have commenced and focus on building awareness and loyalty to the Bord Bia Quality Mark. These will underline the quality of Irish pigmeat and will communicate its origin. A customer reassurance programme will continue in export markets. This will entail Continued direct Bord Bia contact with customers, placing key information about the Irish pigmeat industry in context and demonstrating the integrity of Irish health controls.

A trade communications programme designed to position the capability of the Irish pigmeat sector and the safety and quality measures in place to influence key decision makers in the retail, food service and manufacturing sectors and A programme to maximise international market access for Irish pigmeat products has been established. This will involve communications activities designed to build confidence among national authorities and opinion formers in markets based around Ireland's health controls.

In the context of the dioxin incident, I have set up a Group under the Chairmanship of Professor Patrick Wall to examine all aspects of the issue.