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The Minister for Agriculture Food & the Marine Simon Coveney T.D. has announced the mechanism for the distribution of the €1m direct aid package for pig farmers in Ireland.
The Minister was speaking at the presentation to him of a report from the Pig Industry Stakeholder Group, which sets out over 60 recommendations to address the challenges facing the industry. On the mechanism for the payment the Minister confirmed that a flat rate payment will issue to pig farmers under the EU direct aid package for the sector.
This support payment originates from a package of measures proposed by the EU Commission in response to the significant price deterioration experienced by pig farmers in 2015, the impact of which has been exacerbated by the closure of the Russian market. The Government decided to match the EU funding for the sector thus providing for a €1m package.
The Minister confirmed that flat rate payments will issue to all pig farmers with a minimum level of supply of 200 pigs slaughtered in 2015. This will ensure that the payment is directed to those farmers most affected by the price volatility, thus meeting the requirements of the EU Regulations providing the funding. Further details will be sent to pig herdowners in the coming days. In addition, the Minister confirmed that he is considering the allocation of some funding under this package to the Irish Pig Society to further their work in representing smaller scale producers.
Monday February 1, DAFM/ Ireland.
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie
