January 6, 2004

French Pigmeat Industry Receives Boost

French Agriculture Minister Herv¡§¦ Gaymard has announced a Euro 4 million aid package for the ailing pork industry.

The aid announcement follows a visit to Orne and Ille and Vilaine in Northern France, where he toured a pork production unit and met with farmers and members of the farming union OPA.

The aid includes Euro 2 million to help farmers who are leaving pig production and another Euro 2 million to help ease the burden of changes.

The move follows the success of the French agriculture minister in obtaining Euro 30 million in aid for private storage measures from the European Commission. Mr Gaymard had also asked for export aid to be reinsituted.

Mr Gaymard has also called on Jean-Louis Porry, in charge of French rural affairs, to work with INAPORC, the national pig meat forum, and local communities to establish to establish a rescue plan for the ailing pig meat industry.