Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Bord Bia Pig Technical Advisory Committee will agree on a definition of free-range/outdoor production for the inclusion in the pig quality assurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38205/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Bord Bia Pig Quality Assurance Scheme (PQAS) is voluntary and application for membership certification is open to all producers (including outdoor production) who have a valid National Pig Identification and Tracing Scheme herd number and who wish to participate.

The conditions for membership certification are clearly set down by Bord Bia and these must be fully adhered to. An independent audit is carried out prior to certification and periodically thereafter.

While outdoor pig production is not currently carried out on a large scale in Ireland due largely to climatic conditions and animal welfare considerations, there are a small number of pig production units operating as free range. Having regard to this, the revised Bord Bia PQAS Standard sets out a number of additional requirements for free range pig producers who wish to be certified. The revised standard is currently the subject of ongoing discussions within the Pig Technical Advisory Committee.

The revised standard is expected to be agreed in the near future.