asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the amount for the year 1974 advanced to him under the European Community Act, 1972, to enable him to discharge his function as the Community's official intervention agency; and whether he is satisfied that the money was distributed to the best possible advantage of the farming community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Intervention Agency.
14.
In 1974 my Department received advances totalling £69.77 million from Central Funds in connection with intervention activities. Beef was the only product purchased into intervention during that year and, while the intervention arrangements provided a considerable measure of support for cattle prices at the time, the full benefits of those arrangements did not accrue to producers, especially those who were not engaged in the finishing of cattle. Accordingly, in March last I set up a review body to examine the operation of the beef intervention and cattle slaughter premium systems. I hope that the final report of that body will be available shortly.
Can the Minister be more specific about the report?
I am afraid I cannot.
I am pleased the Minister admitted that he was acting for the EEC and that the money did not go to the producers. What steps, apart from the setting up of a review body, is the Minister taking to ensure that producers obtain the full benefits this year?
I have no doubt that in present circumstances producers will get the full benefit. One of the things that has happened to alter the position that existed then is that the slaughtering capacity of the various processing factories has increased substantially, to the tune of being able to take another 500,000 cattle. In 1974 they were not able to take anything like 1,000,000 cattle and last year they took in excess of 1,300,000 cattle without any trouble. As long as they have the capacity there will be competition for cattle. We should also remember that there has been considerable competition in the live trade. In these circumstances there is no difficulty and the present price of calves and young stores is indicative of that.
Surely the Minister is aware that the producers of small cattle got no benefit?
We have to differentiate between farmers. I was talking about people who were not finishing cattle and they did not get the benefit.
Has the Minister the figure for 1975?
That is all I can give the Deputy because the figures are always a year in arrears.