IFA Pigs Committee Chairman Mr Michael Maguire, commenting on the closure of the sow welfare grant said that this was a further blow to the Irish pig industry by Minister Coughlan’s department. This scheme has been closed early with the department stating that the monetary allocation has been fully subscribed; however some farmers through no fault of their own have not had the opportunity to apply for this grant aid.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan T.D., today launched a brand new marketing strategy for Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. The Strategy was prepared by the former Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise and Employment, Kevin Bonner who has chaired a steering group of key officials of state agencies tasked with developing the marketing strategy.