The Pig Industry Stakeholder Group chaired by Dr Sean Brady presented its report to Minister Simon Coveney on Monday, which outline more than 60 recommendations to be implemented by farmers and processors alike.

Some of the standout recommendations from the report include:

  • strengthen the financial incentives for the maintenance of good animal health through increased funding for Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance Scheme.
  • a €100/sow financial incentive to encourage the reduction in sow numbers where stocking rates are unsustainable.
  • a €200/sow incentive for producers on farms where there is a severe of persistent disease problem which would enable them to depopulate and fully restock or move into fattening.
  • the expansion of the role of Animal Health Ireland to the pig sector.
  • a move to greater use of unannounced welfare inspections to reinforce the need for high welfare standards to be maintained at all times on farms.
  • a requirement that pig welfare certificates issued by Teagasc are renewed every three years instead of every ten as is currently the case.
  • a requirement for both owners/managers and operatives to attend formal training course aimed at preventing disease on farms rather than just control it.

    • Concentrated

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    While the Irish pork sector is small and concentrated in comparison to other sectors in Ireland, it still contributes significantly to the Irish agri-economy. Pork exports in 2015 stood at €570m for the year, with the majority of exports (61%) shipped to the UK.

    Chair of the Pig Industry Stakeholder Group Dr Sean Brady described the sector as compact and well organised but admitted it faced challenges, especially due to its reliance on imported feed and high energy costs.

    “I believe farmers and the processing industry in Ireland are ready, willing and able to take on the challenges and grasp the opportunities highlighted in this report,” said Brady. “The sector can continue to play a significant part in the ongoing development and growth of the Irish agri-food sector.”

    Dr Brady has proposed the establishment of an implementation committee in order to oversee the execution of these recommendations by stakeholders in the Irish pig sector.

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