Pig and poultry producers have criticised the new licensing regulations drawn up by the Environmental Protection Agency. Producers will have to pay up to £7,000 for a licence to operate a large pig or poultry unit.
The new regulations, which come into force from September 3rd, will cost a small unit owner £2,500, according to Mr Liam Ryan, chairman of the IFA pigs committee. Mr Ryan said the fees would hinder a Forbairt plan to encourage producers to enlarge the sector by one million extra pigs by the year 2000.