asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if import licences issued by the EEC under the EXIM system to certain Irish meat plants have been sold to importers on the Continent; and if the Government approve of this practice.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Trade Licences.
11.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of certificates issued to Irish firms for the export of beef to third country markets for which no export refunds were claimed; the quantities for which these certificates were issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
Applications for the transfer of beef EXIM licences held by various Community traders, including certain Irish meat exporters have been made to my Department and have been acceded to in conformity with Community regulations.
Since June, 1975, 137 import licences have been issued under the EXIM arrangements to Irish firms which have sent beef to third countries without export refund. These licences authorised the import of 8,428 tonnes of live cattle and 5,182 tonnes of beef and veal into the Community.
I understand that it is a common commercial practice in the Community that these transfers should involve payments between the parties concerned. I consider that it is preferable that the benefits of these EXIM transactions should accrue to the Irish meat industry and Irish producers rather than to other countries.
Does the Minister not accept that the sale of EXIM licences by Irish firms necessitates the importation into the Community of third country beef which will then go into competition with Irish supplies? Does he not also accept that there is no question so far as the producers—of whom I am one—are concerned of the passing back to the producers of the profit being made from this peculiar practice?
First of all, is it in the Deputy's eyes preferable that these exports should be taking place in other EEC countries and by other EEC traders rather than Irish traders if there is an advantage to be got from them? I cannot see that argument at all. I think it is a good thing that Irish exporters were able to take advantage of the arrangements and export to third countries at the same time and I understand they have made contacts for beef sales in Italy as a result of these arrangements. It is, I think, fair to say this has enabled them to increase their prices to producers and perhaps the firms which have involved themselves in these arrangements are the firms paying the higher prices.
Surely it is not realistic for the Minister to say the benefits of these transactions are being passed back to the consumers when in the last week the Irish reference price was 2 per cent below that of the United Kingdom and it was only 67 units of account per 100 kilogrammes as against 110 units of account in Italy——
We are having information from the Deputy rather than a question.
The Deputy must acknowledge prices were never better.
They were a great deal better three years ago.