Pig producers push for financial aid
2 February 2000
Pig producers push for financial aid
By FWi staff
PIG producers have pledged to keep pressing the government for
financial help after European farm commissioner Franz Fischler
indicated that money was available.
The scope for paying aid was limited, but was available under strict
conditions, Dr Fischler told the National Farmers Union annual
conference on Tuesday (1 February).
“I would not exclude that the possibility of a scheme compatible
with our rules could be devised should the UK authorities wish to
pursue this,” he said.
Pig farmers said they would continue to lobby agriculture minister
Nick Brown, in an attempt to secure help for their industry which has
seen prices slump.
Their comments came after Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he
acknowledged that the pig sector was going through deep crisis.
Mr Blair said: “In areas such as the pig industry, which is the
most parlous at the moment, I do not rule out further measures to
help.”