How strong is the industry support for the creation of a better producer base for pig-meat?
Mr Shields: You can see from our questionnaire that we had a very promising response. At the moment Northern Ireland pig producers are the most feasible anywhere in Europe as far as saving money and efficiency are concerned. If we were getting the same prices as our competitors in Great Britain, we would certainly not be in crisis. The Chairman: We have crossed swords with Mr Hillard. He made an appalling statement which was a colossal falsehood. He said that producers were not paying any more across the water than they are in Northern Ireland. We have written to him demanding proof of that. If he does not reply, this Committee has the power to summon him here. You are being crucified because of their fear of demands from the pig producers for a fair price. If you make a move, they are afraid that they will have to move too. What steps should the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development now take to strengthen the union of pig producers? Mr Shields: The Department of Agriculture
