€7m crisis fund unveiled for struggling pig farmers

Irish Farmers' Association President Tim Cullinan warned there was still no sign of market uplift for Irish pig producers.

Irish Farmers' Association President Tim Cullinan warned there was still no sign of market uplift for Irish pig producers.

Struggling pig farmers have warned that while €7m of Government crisis funding announced this week to support the industry is an "important first step", more must be done.

On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue announced the €7m fund will be distributed through a flat-rate payment of a maximum of €20,000 per individual commercial pig farmer sending more than 200 pigs per annum to slaughter.