§ 1. Ms HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to visit a pig farm in Northern Ireland to discuss the future of the pig industry. [19607]
§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Michael Ancram)My right hon. and learned Friend discussed the position of the pig sector with the Ulster Farmers Union at a meeting on 31 March, when he invited the president to arrange for him a day of representative visits.
§ Ms HoeyI thank the Minister and I urge him to visit one or two smaller rural pig farms in Northern Ireland, where I am sure he will be very welcome. Is he aware of the concern among Northern Ireland pig farmers about the cost of the EC directive for Aujeszky's disease among pigs? The cost per pig is being borne by individual farmers. The pig industry and individual farmers have to bear those costs, yet the dairy industry does not have to pay for the vaccination of individual cows. Is the Minister also aware that the Republic of Ireland claims that its pig industry cannot afford to implement the regulations? Will he do something to help the small pig farmer in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. AncramI am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will discuss those matters when he meets pig farmers and the National Farmers Union in Ulster. In respect of Aujeszky's disease, as I am sure the hon. Lady is aware, the Department of Agriculture introduced the eradication scheme on 1 September last year, following extensive consultation with the industry, particularly the Ulster Farmers Union. Implementation of the scheme is progressing satisfactorily and it is clearly important to pig producers.
§ Mr. William RossDoes the Minister really understand the great importance of the pig industry to Northern Ireland, whose high-quality animals and semen are exported all over the world? Does he not realise that 966 a tremendous industry is in great danger of collapsing, as farmers have just experienced about 18 months of the worst returns anyone can remember?
§ Mr. AncramI fully appreciate the hon. Member's points, not least the importance of the pig industry to Northern Ireland. I am sure that, given his own agricultural knowledge, he will appreciate that pig production suffers, and will suffer, from cyclical trends. I am sure that he is also aware that there has been a recent improvement in producer returns, which I hope will be a benefit. In particular, prices have risen from 92p per kilo at the beginning of the year to 107p per kilo—an increase of 10 per cent. I hope that that will be reflected in increased confidence within the industry.