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last update:Nov 21, 2008
Irish pig producers battling low prices again
IFA Pigs Committee Chairman Michael Maguire expressed serious
concern for the pig sector, following announcements by pigmeat processors
of price cuts for this week's pigs.
Unsustainable
The situation is completely unsustainable as pig
farmers are once more below break even. Maguire said, “The market has been very
difficult on the continent over the last number of weeks with weekly price falls
recorded, however Irish prices have simply followed EU prices down despite the
fact that Irish prices never reached the late summer continental
highs.”
Maguire said “the consensus from all our recent IFA regional pig
member meetings is that the Irish pigmeat producers and processors must once
again pick up the campaign to reclaim the home market. This will be achieved
through a revamped marketing strategy by Bord Bia, increased surveying of the
retailers and processors and a name and shame campaign revealing those who are
not supporting the Irish pigmeat sector.”
Government failureMaguire reiterated his view
about the Government failure to safeguard the industry through the introduction
of compulsory 'Country of Origin Labelling'. “Until the Irish government take
measures to effectively and clearly demonstrate to the consumer the origin of
their food, the consumer will continue to be misled in both the retail and food
service sectors,” he said.
“It is vital that this campaign raises
awareness of which companies are supporting Irish products and which are not. It
is obvious that some retailers are not supporting Irish pigmeat products and
unless this situation is rectified, the future of the industry is in jeopardy,”
he concluded.
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