More workers are urgently needed in the pig processing sector and on farms, say the IFA.
The farming organisation’s pigs chair Roy Gallie claims it’s imperative that work permits are issued for people outside the European Economic Area to help the pig sector.
There is currently a backlog of pigs in the market and the IFA chair said the pigmeat sector is under pressure due to the lack of suitable labour at processing level and on pig farms.
“IFA is aware that a number of work permit applications have been submitted to the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment (DTEE) over the past number of months, but these have not yet been processed,” said Mr Gallie.
“It’s imperative that these permits are issued immediately to allow these skilled workers into the country.”
Mr Gallie explained the continuous nature of pig production requires a constant flow through the farm with pigs being moved off the farm for processing in a timely fashion.
The IFA calls place further pressure on the DTEE and minister Damien English to alleviate the backlog of pigs in the Irish market.
Meanwhile, farming organisations in the UK are calling for similar action. Britain’s National Pig Association says that nearly 80 per cent of skilled butchers in abattoirs are from Europe but many have left due to Brexit and COVID-19.
LSL News.