The presence of so many pig producers, processors, millers and banking representatives at last night's Pig Survival Strategy Meeting in Roscrea only reinforced the seriousness of the crisis in the pig industry.

With pig farmers presently taking a massive hit in the region of €10–15/pig (or for the average farmer selling 200 pigs/week, a loss of €3,000/week), IFA Pigs and Pig meat Chairman Michael Maguire said the situation was completely unsustainable and the prices must increase immediately if the Irish pig industry is to remain viable.

IFA President Mr. Padraig Walshe said "There is an acceptance by stakeholders that the industry is in crisis and those in attendance were keen to support a survival plan for the sector".

IFA Pigs and Pig meat Chairman Michael Maguire said "the consensus from the meeting was that Irish pig meat producers and processors could reclaim the Irish market through a revamped marketing strategy by Bord Bia."

Mr Walshe reiterated his view about Government hypocrisy in allowing the importation of foreign meat into Ireland, while Irish producers are not allowed access to imported animal feed.

The IFA President went on to say that this level of double standards was a disgrace, especially as 'substantial transformation' leads to Irish consumers being conned into thinking they are buying Irish products. According to the CSO, 1.3 million kgs of pig meat was imported into Ireland from outside of the EU last year.

A senior AIB bank official stated that they expected to see 30% of pig producers exit the sector in the next year. Supply and demand will lead to an inevitable rise in pig meat prices similar to the effect that it had in the UK in 1998. However, should Irish meat secure a stronger footing in the retailers, the national herd could be maintained.

A lobbying session with politicians is being planned in the next two weeks to emphasize the urgent need for country of origin labeling, and for approved animal feed to be allowed into Europe.

Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan last week pledged additional funding to an IFA delegation for an intensive marketing campaign for a Quality Assured Irish pig meat through Bord Bia. Mr Walshe said this funding is conditional on a suitable proposal from the semi-state company.

"It is vital that this campaign is focused on raising awareness of which labels are supporting Irish products and which are not. It is obvious that some Irish labels are not supporting the Irish pig meat products on which their brands were built," he concluded.

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