Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1685.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. [32652/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware of the contribution of the pig meat sector to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy.

In 2022, at a time when the pigmeat sector was experiencing severe financial hardship and when pig producers had to deal with enormous financial pressures, I provided significant supports, to this very valuable and important sector within Irish Agriculture.

My Department successfully delivered two financial aid schemes to commercial pig farmers in 2022. In total these two schemes provided in excess of €18m in financial support at a time when the sector was under significant financial stress to ensure its ongoing viability.

In addition, Teagasc has a dedicated ongoing advisory support service for pig farmers. My Department continues to monitor the market situation for pig meat closely.

As in other meat sectors, global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish pigmeat sector over the medium to longer term. According to the CSO’s figures released in July 2024, Irish pigmeat exports continue to perform well, totalling €871.812m for 2023 and this positive performance has continued into 2024 with pigmeat export values amounting to €291.833m in the January to May period of 2024, which is in line with the same period, over the last number of years.

The most recent set of CSO figures also show that Irish pigmeat exports, in terms of monetary value, were the 4^thbest performing agricultural commodity for all of 2023 and for the January to May period of 2024. My Department continues to work on ensuring access to as many markets as possible to facilitate export opportunities. In addition, I have led a number of trade missions focused on promoting Irish products, including pig meats, overseas.

I will continue to support the pig meat sector which I firmly believe remains competitive and continues to play an important role in the economy.