Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, this week said the development of export markets was critically important to the success of the Irish pig sector.The Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare was speaking following the IFA National Pig Farmers’ Forum in Athlone, Co Westmeath. He noted that the Government was fully committed to the Irish pig industry and that efforts to develop new export markets were key to the continued growth of the sector. He continued: “I wish to commend Bord Bia for the contribution they make to maintaining existing and developing new markets for Irish exports. Bord Bia, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, have done excellent work in regaining access to most markets within a short time of them being closed following the dioxin incident. I hope that the current efforts to reopen access to the Russian and Chinese markets will bear fruit in the near future”.
Commenting on the Government’s commitment to developing the sector, Minister of State Killeen stated: “The Government’s prompt and decisive action following the dioxin incident is evidence of that commitment while considerable support is made available to the sector through investment schemes.”
Meanwhile, the Junior Agriculture stressed the importance of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme. He added: “Pork and bacon produced under the Quality Assurance Scheme is widely recognised by consumers as a guarantee of quality and origin of the product. The Quality scheme covers all areas of concern to the public in the area of meat production including welfare, safety and traceability. There is an excellent level of participation in the Scheme by both producers and processors”.
Regarding the future outlook for the sector, Minister of State Killeen noted the Development Strategy that was drawn up by Teagasc in consultation with stakeholders. “A steering group has been progressing the Strategy’s recommendations and the Department of Agriculture should receive the group’s interim report in the coming months”, he concluded.
