Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which a specific plan for the pig meat industry continues in this country; the progress being made in this particular area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38472/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for the Government, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context.

The sector supports approximately 8,000 jobs spanning production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services.

Gaining new market access and enhancing access to existing markets for Irish pigmeat exports is integral to my Department’s strategic approach to the development of the agri-food sector generally. Ministerial led trade missions to priority markets, as well as technical meetings and inward visits and inspections, are a key part of our market development and market access strategy, in cooperation with Bord Bia and our embassy network.

The success of the Department's market access efforts is reflected in CSO trade statistics which show that Ireland exported pigmeat to almost 70 countries last year, with the top five destinations (in volume) being China, The United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and Japan. Cumulatively, these five destinations accounted for 74% of total pigmeat exports, in volume terms, in 2023.

My Department also engages with stakeholders through the Food Vision Pig Group, which Includes representatives from the farming and processing sectors, Teagasc, Bord Bia, and Department officials.

Teagasc has intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options available to them.

My Department continues to monitor the market situation including production costs in the sector and continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

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.

I firmly believe that the pig meat sector in Ireland remains competitive and in recognition of its important role to the economy, I have, over the last few years provided significant support to ensure it remains viable.