Reply: I am informed by the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) that there are, at present, 16 pig breeders operating at Le Bouchon, Camp Carol and Mon Tresor Mon Desert who have to be relocated. 7 out of these 16 breeders operate at Le Bouchon with a total number of 178 heads. I wish to inform the House that FAREI conducted preliminary site surveys to assess the land suitability for pig breeding taking into consideration disposal of pig waste.

148 I am informed that two sites were identified at Cluny and Le Val. However, both sites were found to be unsuitable due to high water table and presence of rivulet, which would result in ground water contamination. My Ministry is therefore still looking for alternate suitable sites. In parallel, meetings have been held with the breeders in respect of relocation of the site. A Technical Committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of my Ministry, has already been set up, comprising of various authorities, to look into pig breeding in a holistic manner taking into consideration infrastructural support and pig waste management. The recommendation of the Technical Committee will subsequently be submitted for a policy decision on implementation thereof.