Disappointment and concern at the recent drop in pig prices was expressed yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, writes Sean Mac Connell, Agriculture Correspondent. He said he was reviewing slaughter capacity. Ireland has been hit by falling pig prices caused by over-production in the EU and reduced capacity to slaughter because of a fire at a major Northern Ireland plant last year. Yesterday, a recovery of the industry was predicted by Teagasc's chief pig adviser, Mr Pat Tuite, who said this should begin in April-May with falling production in the rest of the EU.
Bord Bia, the Irish food board, gave details of its £300,000 promotion of pigmeat which will include extensive media advertising and the distribution of 250,000 leaflets to shops selling quality assurance bacon.