Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

781. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of sows in the intensive pig sector here that die prematurely or have to be put down prematurely due to sickness or other causes. [31032/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

782. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason sows are prematurely euthanised; and the percentage for each reason stated. [31033/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

783. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason sows die prematurely; if statistical data is recorded and kept by his Department on these premature deaths; and the measures being put in place to prevent premature death in sows in the intensive system. [31034/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 to 783, inclusive, together.

All persons keeping animals for farming purposed are legally obliged under both EU and Irish national legislation to ensure that those animals are kept in such a way that they are not caused any unnecessary pain suffering or injury. The legislation specifies, for example, that animals kept in intensive systems must be inspected at least once a day and that sick or injured animals must be cared for properly and if necessary, isolated in suitable accommodation.

Officials from my Department carry out inspections on pig farms to ensure compliance with these and other animal welfare requirements. Euthanasia is usually applied on a pig farm where an individual animal is sick or injured, where treatment is not successful or is not likely to be successful and where there is a perceived risk of the animal suffering unnecessarily.

Specific data of the number of sows that die or are euthanised on individual farms is not available.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

784. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department plans to take during the lifetime of this Government to reduce the emissions from the intensive pig industry; and if he will provide financial and other supports to assist and enable existing piggeries to convert to an extensive system of pig production in view of the overall policy to reduce CO2 emissions. [31035/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The pig industry is an important part of the Irish Agri-food sector exporting in excess of €890 million worth of product in 2019, an 8% increase from 2018. The industry has invested heavily in the last decade which has allowed it to grow its exports by over €500 million in the period 2010-2019.

 In line with Programme for Government commitments, the recently published Climate Action (Amendment) Bill sets out the Government’s ambition to transition to a climate neutral economy out to 2050. All sections of the economy will need to contribute to this national objective, including agriculture, and indeed the pig sector. Nevertheless, It should be noted that greenhouse gas emissions from the pig herd account for a very small percentage of overall agriculture emissions.

 In terms of investments, the Department is currently focused on supporting animal health and welfare through industry programmes and capital investment. In TAMS we have the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme which is part of a suite of 7 schemes under TAMS II.  Approximately 50 investment items are grant aided under this measure and to date 313 pig farmers have been approved to purchase investment items under this scheme. In relation to payments, 137 applicants have already been paid €1.4 million under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. The principal objective of the Scheme is to assist farmers purchase new equipment for the upgrading of pig and poultry units on their farms thereby supporting farmers’ compliance with animal welfare legislative requirements under Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 Dec 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs.

In addition, supports are available for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) technology, which will reduce ammonia emissions from the land spreading of organic manures. Over €32 million has been grant aided under the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme to date. Pig units tend to have high energy demands and supports for renewable energy technologies are also available under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. In time, such technologies will help lower CO2 emissions.

A request for a revision to the ceiling for the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme of TAMS II has been received.  The request is for an amendment to increase the upper investment limit under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. The request to increase this investment limit will be considered in light of the available budget.