Minister hears pig sector issues first hand

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has heard first hand of the issues facing the pig industry during a visit to Jim McConnell’s pig rearing enterprise near Rathfriland.

The pig enterprise consists of 140 sows with the progeny being reared from birth to bacon.

The Minister said: “I am deeply concerned about the difficult situation facing the intensive production sectors and am very grateful to hear from the McConnell family some of the issues they face.

“I am also aware that the Ulster Farmer's Union held a protest in London as part of the National Pig Association to highlight the plight facing pig producers and to encourage consumers to eat local pork. I would fully endorse any call which highlights to consumers the importance of eating locally produced food.

“Some of the issues facing pig and other intensive farming sectors are a result of the global pressure on grain prices and unfortunately there is not much I can do about this particular issue as we are a small regional player in a very large EU market. However, I have personally acted at a Ministerial level through raising the issue of local procurement, engaging in the work of the Red Meat Task Force and have successfully lobbied for the DEFRA Secretary of State and Mary Coughlan TD to support the re-introduction of export refunds for the pig sector.

“While I have no direct influence over retail prices, I do believe that I have a valid role to encourage and facilitate dialogue to increase understanding about issues. I have therefore met with the main supermarkets with a view to encouraging them to work with the industry, recognising the economic pressures on producers. I hope that this will bring some improvement.”

The Minister also highlighted a current industry funded promotional campaign: Good Food Is In Our Nature, which aims to encourage consumers to buy fresh, local produce. “I welcome this industry initiative and hope that it is successful in getting consumers to think about what they put in their supermarket baskets,” she said.

Turning to available help for farmers, the Minister said: “DARD also provides support through the CAFRE’s Challenge Programmes and the Greenmount Pig Benchmarking project both of which the McConnells’ farm has availed of. Benchmarking farm enterprises is a very effective vehicle for the farmer and DARD’s Development Advisers to analyse the business and consider potential development.

“I very much enjoyed this farm visit and appreciate the hard work and challenges facing the McConnell family and other farm families working in this sector at this time.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The farm business is managed by and has to support two families, Jim McConnell and his wife as well as his son Warren and his family.
2. The pig unit comprises a voluntary cubicle dry sow house, two farrowing houses, a combined weaner / grower house and two finishing houses.
3. The farm also has a poultry unit as well as a cereal enterprise and a small beef enterprise.
4. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.