The Minister of State for Agriculture Ned O'Keefe was challenged on the crisis in farming by Caoimhghín O Caoláin TD in Leinster House on Tuesday.

The Sinn Féin deputy pointed out that the pig sector is very badly hit and there is a government failure to recognise the dire situation for pig farmers. There has been a collapse in prices and a severe shortage of outlets for sales. In reply Minister of State O'Keefe said that the ``history of the pig industry had been one of peaks and valleys''. He said that ``matters had improved''. The minister's statement is contradicted by a letter received in the TD's office on Wednesday morning from a pig farmer in Cavan who states:

``I can't continue beyond the next few days. I have no more space, the overdraft is extended beyond its limit, the millers are looking for cheques and I have a wife and family to support. I have over 400 pigs for sale at this stage.''

The TD attended the Irish Farmers Association's Farm Income Crisis Forum in Dublin on Wednesday. He reiterated his support for the call of the IFA for the extension of Family Income Supplement to farmers and the self-employed.

There was some good news for the pig sector in Cavan later on Wednesday when it was learned that McCarren's plant in Cavan town is to reopen next week. The closure of this outlet for pig sales had hit hard. Welcoming the reopening Caoimhghín O Caoláin noted that it should also signal the return to work of staff who had previously been employed there. He said:

``While this will be welcome news to the hard-hit pig sector in County Cavan and beyond and will be generally well received, I trust that it signals the return to work for all those previously employed at McCarren's and who are now available and anxious to recommence their previous employment. A marriage of sectors can and will ensure the success of the new venture.''

Assembly discusses farmers' plight

The Stormont Assembly debated the problems in the agriculture industry on Monday afternoon; in particular the crisis facing pig-farmers. Sinn Fein Assembly member for Mid-Ulster Francie Molloy said, ``the decline in agriculture over the past number of years has left many farmers wondering is this a deliberate policy by the British government, in conjunction with the EU, to wind down the entire industry''.

He continued, ``the delay in setting up departments under appropriate ministers is contributing to the delay in enabling us to deal with the crisis''.

Widening the debate West Tyrone Assembly member Barry McElduff said, ``farmers generally are faced with a quite despairing situation. Many are under unbearable strain having suffered a succession of body blows, the seriousness of which has never been properly addressed either by the EU or the British government.'' McElduff said that agriculture ``is evidently one crucial area where strategic development on an all-island basis makes complete sense.''