The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, is expected to raise Irish concerns about the ongoing impact of input cost increases, and the current situation on the pigmeat market, when he attends the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels today (Monday, January 17, 2022).  

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the minister said: “Despite the strong recent performance across many markets, I remain concerned about the ongoing impact of increases in fuel, fertiliser, feed and energy prices over recent times.

“These are putting farmer margins under significant pressure. It is important to consider carefully all possible levers to ease these impacts, including the issue of anti-dumping duties on fertilisers.

“I look forward to hearing further updates on the [European] Commission’s consideration of this issue as it progresses,” the minister added.

“The actual impact from the extension may be limited as the EU’s import prices of these Japanese electrical steel are mostly above the minimum prices, but we will continue our claim to protect free trade,” the official said.

Source: HSN