Speaking  at the launch of the Bord Bia campaign to ‘Bring Home the Bacon’,
aimed at increasing the share of the home market for pig producers, IFA Pigs
Committee Chairman Tim Cullinan warned that jobs were on the line unless
prices improve.

“Currently pig producers in Ireland are losing up to €15 on every pig sold.
Losses of this magnitude have been incurred now for a number of months since
the price of feeding the pig started rising exponentially last year.  The
cost of these losses to the countries pig producers is almost €1m per week.”

Mr Cullinan said, “Some producers have already decided, or have been forced,
to cease production due to rising costs and rising debts.  The loss of this
production could potentially put some of our factories in jeopardy and
ultimately the livelihoods of the people employed in the industry upstream
and downstream of the farm.”

The IFA Pigs Chairman said, “Considering the pressure on farmers, the
success of the promotion being launched today by Bord Bia is crucial.  Over
the last number of weeks, IFA together with Bord Bia and the Irish primary
processors have met with the retailers to highlight the crisis situation on
Irish pig farms.    We are calling on them to increase the volume of Irish
meat that they stock.  It is vital also that food service outlets,
restaurants and butchers also increase the volume of Irish meat that they
purchase.”

“Most importantly we are calling on the Irish consumer to pick pig meat
products carrying the Bord Bia Quality Assurance (QA) Logo when doing their
weekly shopping. The logo can be found in all retailers on pork, bacon,
sausages and hams.  The QA logo is the consumer’s guarantee of traceability
and quality and making the choice to purchase meat with the logo will also
guarantee the future of the Irish pig meat industry. It will also safeguard
the associated jobs and the potential to contribute to the economic recovery
of the country as outlined in the Food Harvest 2020 Strategy.”