Press release
Minister McConalogue confirms commencement of payments under €13 million Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today confirmed payments under the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2) have commenced.
Minister McConalogue introduced the scheme to provide support for pig farmers impacted by a prolonged cost-price squeeze, exacerbated by the impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. PEP2, which is funded by Ireland’s allocation of EU funds for exceptional aid, will see eligible pig farmers who meet the conditions of the scheme receive payments of up to €100,000. This is the second support package the Minister has put in place this year to support pig farmers.
Minister McConalogue said:
“I am pleased to announce that payments the Irish pig farmers under the PEPS 2 Scheme have commenced. Our pig farmers have faced unprecedented challenges over recent times due to a significant market downturn in combination with surging input costs. The targeting of this significant support will assist in the continued viability of this very important sector. I want to see the pig sector continue to develop in the time ahead and I am glad to see a recent improvement in market conditions."
Minister of State Martin Heydon, chair of the Pig Roundtable said:
“These payments under PEPS 2 are an important support for pig farmers as we navigate our way through a challenging period for the sector. In addition to helping coordinate this emergency response, the Pig Roundtable continues to work on the future development of the sector and will be meeting again in the coming weeks.”
Detail of the scheme are available at: gov.ie - Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (www.gov.ie)
The scheme opened for applications on 13 June and remained open until 11 July.
A total fund of €13 million in EU exceptional aid funding was made available for this voluntary demand led scheme for pig farmers who committed to meet eligibility and conditionality requirements aiming to address market disturbance by incentivising a necessary adjustment and in the longer-term support food security by assisting these producers to remain viable.