October 22, 2007

France releases US$3.6 million package to aid pig farmers
 

The French government announced it would be releasing an emergency aid package of EUR 2.5 million to the country's pig producers to help offset rising production costs and low pork prices, said Michel Barnier, French agriculture minister.

EUR 500,000 would be made available immediately and the remaining EUR 2 million  will be released to allow farmers to defer their payments, Barnier told the French parliament last week.

He also asked the European Commission to introduce export refunds and private storage aid.

French pig farmers are pressuring retailers to raise prices they are paying for pork as producers are losing around EUR 33 (US$47.25) per finished pig.