asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will take up with the EEC Commissioner for Agriculture the possibility of establishing a floor price for store cattle under the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Store Cattle Prices.
12.
As the Deputy knows. I recently set up a review body to examine the operation of the beef intervention and cattle slaughter premium systems, with particular reference to the effect of the systems operated in supporting the prices of cattle at the different stages of production. I would hope to have the review body's report before the end of July. There are, of course, obvious difficulties about establishing floor prices for such a diverse category as store cattle, but I will be assessing the whole problem when I have the report of the review body.
Might I ask the Minister if he would consider again the expedient adopted by the Italian Government in the last price review of February in Brussels, namely the acceptance—instead of an increased intervention price for beef—of a subsidy on calves having to be paid on their birth and the other half at the end of 12 months, making a total of £25? Would the Minister again seek an adjustment for this country, in view of the fact that the balance with regard to the breeding of cattle and the returns therefrom are very much upset, and that any rewards there are from the production of cattle are not getting back to the primary producers?
In reply to the Deputy I have given considerable thought to this. It would be a very easy scheme to administer. I think that is one of the reasons why the Italian Minister sought and was allowed this. There are other reasons also why he got it—Italy had always a number of special concessions. They had to surrender everything else in order to get this, including intervention and slaughter premiums. Mind you, very serious consideration would have to be given to a change that would include surrendering the slaughter and intervention premiums because of our dependence on the British market and what we get from that market.
Surely the Minister would agree that the operation of intervention in a deficiency market such as the Italian one would be of no importance at all to them?
Not of great importance, but of some, particularly the slaughter premium.
Question No. 13.
Because of the fact that we have had a month's strike and an extraordinarily dry season, would not the Minister agree that breeders of small cattle may be in trouble again at the end of this year? Would not he consider doing something for them, if they get a second year? Because of the prolonged dry spell we have been experiencing, there will not be available much feeding next winter; bearing in mind also the fact that beef was held up for a month owing to the strike——
Three weeks, to be precise.
Exactly. Anyway it was held up with the result that the smaller cattle were not being bought, except at a very bad price, during that period. If there were to be a bad turnout at the end of this year again would the Minister consider doing something to alleviate their position and in order to give some confidence to the producers of small cattle?
I do not know what the Deputy is seeking.
I am looking for a direct payment which I sought last year.
In other words, an income supplement. Are not we bringing in the disadvantaged areas scheme?
Question No. 13.
I am not talking about the disadvantaged areas scheme——
(Interruptions.)
I appeal to Deputies to obey the Chair and allow us make some appreciable progress at Question Time.