Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Pigmeat Sector

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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28. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on measures to protect the pork farming sector from further income decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21005/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My department carefully monitors developments in the pig sector, both domestically and internationally, and meets with stakeholders regularly to hear their views on developments. I am conscious of the fact that prices have come under pressure over the last year and the difficulties that this is causing for producers. Having said that, it must be noted that Irish prices have remained broadly in line with EU prices and I note there has been a slight increase recently, reflecting renewed market confidence in Europe and increased demand in China.

Recently, my Department distributed a €1m direct aid package for pig farmers in Ireland. This support originates from a package of measures proposed by the EU Commission in response to the significant price deterioration experienced by pig farmers in 2015, the impact of which has been exacerbated by the closure of the Russian market. Under the aid package agreed at EU level in September of last year, €0.5m was allocated for the pig sector for Ireland. The Government subsequently matched this funding to provide an overall aid package of €1m.

My Department also supports Bord Bia’s marketing and promotional activities, and the Pigmeat Quality Assurance scheme helps to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets. Bord Bia plans to use additional funds to run a targeted Pork promotional campaign this coming Autumn and further campaigns are planned to promote ham and bacon. Teagasc is also actively engaged in the provision of technical advice to improve the operational efficiency of pig farmers.

I have also included provision in the RDP for an on-farm capital investment scheme, TAMS II, with an overall budget of €395 million across all sectors, with €35.8 million allocated for 2016.  Amongst the areas identified for initial funding are investments on pig farms for energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. Other elements of the RDP, such as targeted on farm animal health and welfare scheme will also be of benefit to the pig sector.

Finally, I am committed to ensuring that as many alternative markets as possible are open to the Irish Pigmeat sector. In that regard I will continue to prioritise the opening of new markets such as Vietnam and the Philippines, which serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports. Indeed I will be leading a trade mission to Vietnam and China during the first week in September, during which I will be prioritising the promotion of pigmeat in two of our main export markets.

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