Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the extent, if any, to which the number of pigs produced in this jurisdiction has fluctuated over the past five years; the extent to which current numbers are sufficient or satisfactory in the context of meeting requirements; if it is intended, expected or required to increase the numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17923/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The table below sets out the numbers of pigs slaughtered in Export-Approved plants in each of the last five years.

Total pig population has fallen by approximately 10% over the same period, but grew slightly in 2010.

Pigmeat production in 2010 amounted to 215,000 tonnes, while exports totalled 147,000 tonnes. Both Ireland and the EU are self-sufficient in pigmeat production.

The 'Food Harvest 2020 Report ', which was published in July 2010, sets out the vision for the future of the food industry including the pig sector. Ambitious targets have been set in relation to sow productivity, the size of the national herd, together with a 50% growth in the value of output by 2020. I am chairing a High Level Implementation Group to ensure that the recommendations in the report are implemented.