Vol. 524 No. 6
95 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress achieved by the beef task force monitoring group; when it is expected to conclude its work; when the necessary actions on price transparency and overseas promotion can commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23382/00]
The beef task force monitoring committee is responsible for implementing those recommendations in the report of the beef task force relating to export promotion, price transparency, graded pricing and mechanical classification. Considerable progress had been made within the monitoring committee on the establishment of a voluntary beef promotion fund late last year but this was put on hold following the dispute between the meat factories and farmers last January.
The monitoring committee has also made substantial progress on market price transparency and, in particular, on a price reporting model. I understand agreement has not yet been reached on the way independent verification will be applied. I should point out, however, that the Department publishes, on a weekly basis, prices paid by named meat plants for steers, heifers and cows by grade and on an individual factory basis, and this has introduced an unprecedented degree of transparency into the market place.
With regard to graded pricing and mechanical classification, the task assigned to the monitoring committee is to review progress in these areas. Primary responsibility for the implementation of a graded pricing system rests with the beef pro cessing industry itself and while I appreciate that some progress has been made in this area, bigger differentials are needed to encourage the production of the type of high quality beef in demand, particularly on the European market.
Additional Information.As far as mechanical classification is concerned, my Department, in conjunction with three developers from Denmark, Australia and Germany, has organised two trials to test the accuracy of three machines in classifying carcases against the EUROP carcase classification scale and in estimating meat yield. The trials showed that mechanical classification has potential but needs to be improved if it is to replace visual assessment. The European Commission has also proposed a draft regulation setting down the standards for the approval of machines. A pilot test is due to be carried out in Germany next month in order to check the appropriateness of these standards. The definitive standards will be set down early next year.
I thank the Minister for his reply. When the task force has completed all its work, will the report come back to the agriculture committee so that we can discuss it? That would be very welcome.
I am encouraging in every possible way the chairman of the monitoring committee, Dr. Tom O'Dwyer, to complete the task at hand. I will be glad to come back to the Oireachtas committee and go through in detail the findings of the report and the outcome of the monitoring committee.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, may I ask your permission, on behalf of the colleagues who have tabled them, to have Questions Nos. 98, 102, 123 and 149 on today's Order Paper withdrawn?
Deputy Dukes wishes to have Questions Nos. 98, 102, 123 and 149 withdrawn from today's Order Paper.
The Minister is so dilatory on those issues that they will still be topical when he next comes into the House to answer them.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
