Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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782. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the ongoing difficulties facing the pigmeat sector; the proposals there are to provide additional assistance at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22848/16]

Michael 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.

At an EU level, I have welcomed important elements in a €500 million aid package for the EU Agriculture sector but have called for maximum flexibility on how MS may utilise the funding. The details of these packages have yet to be worked out between the Commission and Member States.

I also note that the European Commission has recently established a Meat Market Observatory to provide the EU meat sector with more transparency by means of disseminating market data and short-term analysis in a timely manner. This was due to meet for the first time last week. The tasks of the group are to take stock of market developments, and to highlight and assess the current market situation for the sake of economic operators and the Commission services, along the lines of the Milk Market Observatory.

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.