Pig producers launch co-op in attempt to secure future of industry

PIG producers have launched a co-op in a proactive move to secure their own future.

There are now just 550 pig producing farms in the Republic with a 160,000 sow breeding herd and a farmgate output value of more than €308 million.

IFA National Pigs' committee chairman Pat O'Keeffe, welcoming the launch of the co-op, said the industry is competing in a free market economy and must adapt to ensure a future viability. A joint North-South all-island industry study last year concluded that primary and secondary processing is generally inefficiently organised; is not appropriately structured, and has led to a costly structure that has served to depress producer returns.