Pigmeat storage scheme could be worth €15m to Irish pork sector

MEMBER states of the EU last week voted unanimously in favour of introducing a specific private storage aid scheme for pigmeat produced in Ireland.

The European Commission had proposed the scheme because of the exceptional circumstances and difficulties caused by the dioxin scare. Up to 30,000 tonnes of pigmeat can be stored for up to six months. The level of aid varies according to the cut of meat. With a maximum figure of €464 per tonne available, the scheme has a potential value of €15 million. It will commence next week.

Aid between €278 and €389 per tonne will be payable for half carcasses in store three to six months.

For lion cuts, shoulders, fore-ends and hams in storage three to six months, aid of €337-€463 will be paid.

Aid varies from €164-€263 for pork bellies, and from €255-€360 for middle cuts.

“This is a piece of practical action to help support the Irish pork sector at this difficult time,” said Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. “Private storage aid allows producers to put their products in storage at the expense of the EU budget. Doing so helps to prop up the market. The meat can then be sold out of storage at a later date, when the market has recovered.”