To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his assessment on the scale of livestock for our food system in Northern Ireland currently being culled and incinerated as a result of labour shortages in the agri-food sector.

I appreciate that the impact of the current labour shortages in processing plants is being felt heavily at farm level. The increasing numbers of backlogged pigs on farm is resulting in a very stressful situation for farmers and their families.

No livestock reared to supply the food system in Northern Ireland are currently being culled and incinerated as a result of labour shortages in the agri-food sector.

Officials continue to monitor the position with regard to the welfare of animals and continue to hold regular meetings with industry.

The UK Government has announced that the Seasonal Agricultural Workers (SAW) scheme is being extended further in coverage to allow 800 butchers to come to the UK to work in pork processing plants for a period of 6 months. While this is helpful, it falls well short of what is needed to alleviate severe labour shortages in the pork sector.

The Department will continue to closely monitor the situation in the pig sector and is examining other elements of the package announced by the Government. Engagement with pig producers and processors is ongoing.