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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Nov 1972

Vol. 263 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Ministers' Meeting.

164.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on his participation in the EEC Council of Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on 30th and 31st October last.

The meeting in Luxembourg on 31st October of the Agricultural Ministers of the six member states of the Community and the three acceding states was devoted primarily to consideration of proposals relating to fruit and vegetables, and beef.

In the case of fruit and vegetables the proposals related mainly to the system of fixing basic and buying-in prices for the principal products, the arrangements for intervention by producer groups and member states, and the arrangements for regulating imports for third countries. They also covered the extension and modification of the existing arrangements for subsidies for grubbing-up fruit trees. The proposals were generally acceptable from our point of view but I sought to have the proposal relating to grubbing-up subsidies extended so that the new member states could benefit from them in the case of apple trees. This is to be further considered by the Community.

The principal proposals on beef related to measures designed to increase beef production. These included a premium or grant for once-calved heifers sent for slaughter, a grant on calves sired by beef bulls, and a grant for certain milk producers who switch to beef production. I indicated that we had no objection in principle to these proposals but that in order to achieve a significant and lasting expansion in beef production something more would be necessary—for example, a grant in respect of increases in beef breeding herds. No final conclusions on these various proposals were reached at the meeting, or at a later meeting of the six Ministers of the existing Community, and the whole matter is to be further considered.

Other proposals in regard to beef which were considered at the meeting of the nine Ministers related to the amount of grant to be paid in respect of beef and sheepmeat production on certain development farms under the Community's farm modernisation directive, to strengthening the beef intervention system, and to changes in the arrangements for imports from third countries. I supported the proposal for strengthening the intervention system, which was adopted. However, I opposed the making of any arrangements for imports from third countries which would extend beyond 1st February next until the detailed arrangements to apply to trade within the enlarged Community as from that date had first been settled.

This question of imports from third countries was considered further at a subsequent joint meeting of the Agriculture and Finance Ministers of the Nine on the agricultural aspects of proposals for action against inflation. It was decided at the joint meeting that until 1st February the duties on imports of cattle and beef from third countries would be halved and the reduced duties currently applicable to imports of calves and veal would be suspended entirely. New arrangements to apply from 1st February will be decided by that date by the enlarged Community. This is a very satisfactory outcome from our point of view as it enables us to benefit from the duty reductions until 1st February and we will be participating as a full member in the decision on the arrangements to apply from that date.

Other decisions taken at the joint meeting were that measures should be taken to encourage Community beef production, that quantitative restrictions on imports of potatoes into the Community should be suspended from mid-November to mid-February, and that decisions regarding export restitutions for agricultural products should be the subject of special vigilance.

Could I ask the Minister is he aware——

Question Time is over.

Since the Minister's reply was very long I should like to ask one supplementary, with your indulgence. Is the Minister aware that the reduction in the levy which was decided on at this meeting was a matter of great importance to the beef market, and that the fact that he did not make a public statement on this matter on his return from the meeting meant that certain speculators who had privileged information were able to get beef for less than they should have got it, for less than the real value? Would he agree to make an early statement on these matters so that people with privileged information will not be at an advantage over ordinary Irish farmers who are relying on statements from the Minister and his Department?

I am not aware of certain privileged people taking advantage of the agreement reached in Luxembourg but I am aware that decisions reached in Luxembourg were given wide publicity in the international press. I do not think I failed in any way in reporting to the proper channels.

The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper. Deputies who require or who are prepared to take written answers may obtain them at the General Office.

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