Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide the necessary funding to pig farmers in respect of increased input costs, including in fuel, feed, fertiliser and energy; if he has received and reviewed the recently published document by an organisation (details supplied) concerning the pig industry in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33501/22]

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

My officials are currently reviewing the report on the Pig Industry & Ireland's Economy, referenced by the Deputy. My Department have had ongoing discussions with stakeholders on the situation currently being faced by the pig farming sector in general and are monitoring the situation closely. Significant support has been made available to the pig sector in the context of the current market disturbance. 

In February, I announced the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS), with a fund of up to €7 million, for commercial pig farmers. This was an urgent, short-term response to assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances, and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals. Farmers were able to receive a payment of up to €20,000 per farmer. All payments have now been processed.

On 23rd March, the EU Commission announced the adoption of exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been impacted by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The aid provided for was granted as a measure supporting agricultural markets following the transfer of funds from the reserve for crisis in the agricultural sector.  The exceptional aid allocation to Ireland was €15.8 million in EU funding and there are detailed requirements and conditionality attached to this allocation; set out in Commission Delegated Regulation 2022/467 of 23rd March 2022.

The Government approved my proposal to allocate €2.8 million of this EU funding to support the Irish horticulture sector, with the remainder dedicated to supporting the pig sector.  On 13th June, I announced the opening of applications for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2). A total fund of €13 million is being made available for this voluntary scheme for pig farmers, to support the viability of this important sector.  Details of the scheme, which is open for applications until 11 July, are available on my Department's website:

www.gov.ie/en/service/0067f-pig-exceptional-payment-scheme-2/