Pig producers seek support for survival plan as rules stiffen and costs rise
IFA Pigs Committee chairman Pat O'Keeffe said the first quarter of 2003 will play a major role in determining pig supplies going forward. He warned that many producers who received a yearly average of 1.28/kg for pigs in 2002 do not have the stomach or resources to continue the survival battle against a background of stiffer regulation and higher costs. "Pig producers will be looking for support from all the relevant participants in the industry to plot a survival path for a sector where producer returns are well below the cost of production," he said.
Mr O'Keeffe said the Department of Agriculture must lift its proposed restriction on the availability of veterinary inspectors or provide an alternative cover to ensure all pigs can be slaughtered to avoid welfare and meat quality issues arising. Primary processors must pay the maximum possible from the market place and a strong price relative to the EU average price.
Secondary processors should seek to use exclusively Irish pork and bacon and ensure it is clearly and correctly labelled and identified as Irish. Hiding behind ambiguous and inaccurate labelling should not be tolerated. "Retailers must make a conscious effort to source and support Irish products and promote it strongly as high quality
native product in conjunction with Bord Bia."
Mr O'Keeffe said the EU Commission should take whatever action necessary to ensure negotiations with Russia are successful to avoid any blockage or restrictions in pigmeat trade as a result of quotas imposed on imported cereal into the EU.
The Commission should also take whatever steps are necessary to ensure Japan removes its safeguard clause for pigmeat at the earliest opportunity.
He also urged the Competition Authority to carry out a thorough investigation into the price gap that exists between producer and retailer prices in the interest of protecting farmers and consumers.
Mr O'Keeffe said without all of the steps outlined being rigorously followed pig production will diminish, as increased production through new entrants is unlikely in a sterile environment. Any future plans to reorganise the industry will be of little value to a sector in severe difficulties, he said.
Mr O'Keeffe said producers who survived the 1998-2000 pig crisis have shown resilience by staying in the
industry.
They now need unified support from all the bodies mentioned, but most of all they need at least a stable pig price for January of 1.28-1.30 per kg minimum, he said.
