Pig industry crisis
Deputy McGrath warned that pig farmers were protesting and asked for urgent action to rescue the industry. The Taoiseach said the Minister had already responded with support measures, acknowledged the pressure from inflation and input costs, and said engagement would continue.
I raised the matter of the pig industry with the Taoiseach several weeks ago. The Irish Farmers Association and other farming organisations as well as individual pig farmers are protesting at four processing plants today. When is the Government going to do something meaningful to rescue our pig industry? We only have a certain number of pig farmers now and, as I said previously, the Taoiseach will not act until there are no rashers for his breakfast roll. He talked about lettuce to me the last day. These people have given gallant service and provided significant employment but they are on their knees. The Government keeps talking but there are funds in Europe for which we have not yet applied. The pig farmers need assistance. Indeed, they needed it two or three months ago, not just talk about it. The Taoiseach must act and he must ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to act as well.
Comment on this
He has responded to the industry. He made an initial allocation to support the industry, followed by a further initiative and he is continuing to engage with the industry. We do recognise that the pig industry is very important, with good employment. It is normally a viable industry but because of the inflationary cycle post pandemic and the war, the situation has become very difficult with input costs. That is acknowledged and the Minister has responded and will continue to engage.