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.

She urged the commissioner to give favourable consideration to her proposals to seek a solution to the difficulties facing the pigmeat sector.

Ms Coughlan earlier told the IFA annual general meeting that high feed costs will continue to be a serious issue for pig farmers for the foreseeable future.

However, she added some improvement in feed supplies is expected due to changes in set-aside rules and the temporary suspension of import duties on various cereals.

Signalling her intention of raising the refund issues with the commissioner, she said she believed there are possibilities in Japan and Korea.

The minister said she had taken the opportunity to raise with Fischer Boel her concerns about the issues that had arisen surrounding the REPS scheme.