§ 11. Mr. HopeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government are taking to support British pig farmers and the pig industry. [117742]
§ Ms QuinAt the 30 March Agriculture summit my right hon. Friend the Minister announced that the Government have decided to introduce a pig industry restructuring scheme. This three year scheme, which has been formally notified to the European Commission and we await its clearance, will make available £26 million to pig producers in its first year. The aim of the scheme will be to help pig producers reduce breeding capacity, reduce costs, overcome any competitive disadvantage and restore long term viability.
My Department has also helped the pig industry through the Agriculture Development Scheme and through measures to promote pigmeat consumption and to tackle misleading labelling.