SF TD tackles Minister on farm crisis
The Minister of State for Agriculture Ned O'Keefe was challenged
on the crisis in farming by Caoimhghín O Caoláin TD in Leinster
House on Tuesday.
The Sinn Féin deputy pointed out that the pig sector is very
badly hit and there is a government failure to recognise the dire
situation for pig farmers. There has been a collapse in prices
and a severe shortage of outlets for sales. In reply Minister of
State O'Keefe said that the ``history of the pig industry had been
one of peaks and valleys''. He said that ``matters had improved''.
The minister's statement is contradicted by a letter received in
the TD's office on Wednesday morning from a pig farmer in Cavan
who states:
``I can't continue beyond the next few days. I have no more space,
the overdraft is extended beyond its limit, the millers are
looking for cheques and I have a wife and family to support. I
have over 400 pigs for sale at this stage.''
The TD attended the Irish Farmers Association's Farm Income
Crisis Forum in Dublin on Wednesday. He reiterated his support
for the call of the IFA for the extension of Family Income
Supplement to farmers and the self-employed.
There was some good news for the pig sector in Cavan later on
Wednesday when it was learned that McCarren's plant in Cavan town
is to reopen next week. The closure of this outlet for pig sales
had hit hard. Welcoming the reopening Caoimhghín O Caoláin noted
that it should also signal the return to work of staff who had
previously been employed there. He said:
``While this will be welcome news to the hard-hit pig sector in
County Cavan and beyond and will be generally well received, I
trust that it signals the return to work for all those previously
employed at McCarren's and who are now available and anxious to
recommence their previous employment. A marriage of sectors can
and will ensure the success of the new venture.''
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