Pig farmers want higher prices

PIG farmers are unhappy with meat processors over the prices they are paying them for supplies.

IFA Pigs Committee chairman Pat O’Keeffe said there is a widespread belief among producers that processors are effectively operating a cartel to keep Irish pig prices below that of their EU counterparts.

This was happening at a time when EU prices are 15% higher than this time last year, he said.

Mr O’Keeffe said there is every justification for Irish processors to pay more.

In comparison with other EU states, Ireland’s average August price was only 95% of the Dutch price, 92% of the Belgian price, and 83% of the German price.

Mr O’Keeffe said German prices are set to rise even further this autumn as numbers fall in comparison to 2005 levels.

“While Irish prices are improved this year, this is the first break for producers as prices have been in the doldrums for the past three years,” he said.

Mr O’Keeffe also said producers not already under the remit of the Environment Protection Agency will be required to invest capital in manure storage to comply with the nitrate regulations.

He said the date the directive takes full affect needs clarity from the Department of Agriculture and Food. The farm waste management grant is available to help producers carry this added cost of compliance.

Mr O’Keeffe also urged producers to avail also of the pig welfare grant designed to help them to comply with the welfare requirements.