Producers outraged by the fall in pig prices
Although processors have stated that prices here would rise if those across the EU increased week on week, Cullinan said this simply wasn’t happening and the current situation could not continue, as pig producers were losing money. “Pig producers are living on a knife edge, between being stretched on credit and then losing money, as retailers refuse to dip into their own margins to pay a realistic price for pigs,” he said.
“Processors have stated, time and again, that this is because of imports undercutting the market, taking up shelf space, and, ultimately, the secondary processing sector’s refusal to support Irish. The fact that this imported meat is labelled to appear Irish exacerbates that situation,” he said.
Cullinan said Bord Bia’s latest quarterly meat audit results showed that a number of retailers had dropped the number of products stocked that carry the Quality Assurance logo. This development was disappointing. “The secondary processing sector is responsible for the importation of huge quantities of meat, and any increase in levels that displace Irish meat will not be taken lightly by Irish producers. Given the opportunity by these so-called Irish companies, retailers are turning their back on quality Irish products to replace them with inferior imports simply to boost their own margins,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith, in a written Dáil reply to Fine Gael TD, Seymour Crawford, said he was aware that producer prices were down considerably on this time last year, while prices for the year as a whole would be down 5%. “By and large, the reason for the price situation is due to the economic recession that has exerted downward pressure on all meat prices. The price experience here is reflected throughout the EU. One measure that could offer the prospect of supporting prices is the re-introduction of export refunds with a view to boosting sales to non-EU countries,” he said.
Mr Smith said he had been raising this issue at Council of Ministers meetings, and there was support from some other member states. “The Commission, however, is resisting the idea, but I will continue to work with like-minded colleagues on the issue. I am satisfied that the Bord Bia marketing initiatives, both at home and overseas, are instrumental in supporting the pigmeat sector. We currently export to over 20 international markets and it is my policy, and that of the Government, to ensure that Irish producers have access to markets worldwide. My department will continue to work with Bord Bia, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the industry, to identify and develop other potential markets,” he said.
