asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from pig farmers regarding financial assistance to the pig disease eradication fund; and if he will make a statement.

Representations continue to be received about the cost of the Aujeszky's disease control and eradication scheme. I gave a full reply last month to the points made by the Agriculture Committee. Subsequently, I confirmed at a meeting with representatives of PDEF that the Government could not agree to making a subvention from central funds towards the cost of the scheme.