Coughlan in pigmeat appeal to Boel

EXPORT refunds for pigmeat, reopened by the European Commission last November to tackle difficulties in the sector caused by high feed costs and sluggish market prices, must be maintained for as long as possible.

That’s what Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan told European Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel at a meeting in Dublin.

Ms Coughlan said the export refunds had helped to alleviate some of the problems experienced in the sector, but it was important the mechanism is used to the fullest extent possible in a strategic and targeted way.