Private pigmeat storage aid scheme

THE European Commission has decided to introduce a private storage aid scheme for pigmeat from next Monday in response to the difficult situation on the market.

But it has declined to introduce export refunds for the sector at this time, despite being urged to do so by a large number of member states including Ireland.

Farmers have warned that the €400 million Irish pigmeat industry is facing wipe out because of crippling feed costs and consumer confusion over the origin of pigmeat.