Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the pigmeat sector is adequately supported in a highly competitive environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25522/23]

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

Throughout my time as Minister, I have provided support to the pig sector as I am aware of its importance to the economy. In particular, I provided significant targeted support to the pig sector last year in the context of ensuring the long-term viability of the sector at a time when all pig producers were dealing with enormous pressures.

As the Deputy will be aware, on 23rd March 2022, the EU Commission announced the provision of exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been impacted by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The exceptional aid allocation to Ireland was €15.8 million in EU funding and the Government approved my proposal to allocate €13 million of this EU funding to support to the pig sector.

A total fund of €13 million was made available for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2), a voluntary scheme for pig farmers, to support the viability of this important sector. The scheme, provided for a payment of up to €100,000 per farmer and all eligible applicants were paid before the payment deadline.

The PEPS 2 was in addition to the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme which I announced in February 2022, funded by the Exchequer to support commercial pig farmers. This scheme provided for a payment of up to €20,000 per farmer and again all payments have now been processed under that scheme.

In addition to the two support packages detailed above, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) administers finance schemes financed by my Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These finance schemes can be used by pig farmers for working capital finance and provide additional valuable support.

Teagasc has dedicated, ongoing advisory supports for pig farmers.

My Department continues to monitor the market situation closely and engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. My Department also has ongoing stakeholder engagement with the sector through the Pig Roundtable.

Pig prices paid to primary producer have increased from mid 2022; and for week commencing 14th May 2023, the price paid was €221.65/100kgs, which was an increase of 32.87% on the same period in 2022.