Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 gets under way

PAYMENTS under the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2) started this week.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie 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.

The minister said: “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 co-ordinate 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.”