asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why payments under the slaughter premium scheme are being discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slaughter Premium Scheme.
2.
The Community regulation of 27th February, 1975, authorising the payment of cattle slaughter premium from FEOGA funds provided for its termination on 29th February, 1976. Because of the improved conditions in the beef market no proposal for its extension was put forward by the EEC Commission. The question of any premium arrangements to apply in the 1976-77 marketing year is being considered at the current meeting of the Council of Ministers.
Could the Department not have continued to pay the slaughter premium in the interim until such time as we were aware of the arrangements for 1976?
The Minister and the Department could continue paying the premium from national funds up to 14th March but we are not going to do so.
There is only a fortnight involved. Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me how much we would have to pay out of national funds in order to continue paying the premium for that fortnight?
I cannot give the Deputy an indication of the amount we would have to pay out of national funds. We would have to pay £15.04 per animal. Cattle prices are good at present and that is the reason why the EEC recommended that the premium should not be paid. The Commission allowed member states, if they so decided, to continue the payment for a fortnight, up to 14th March.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary give a guarantee that beef will not increase by 4p per lb. to the consumer because of the decision to discontinue the payment of the premium?
That is a separate question.
I cannot give the Deputy any such guarantee.
My question was directly related to the £15.04 premium.
It would be very unwise to ask taxpayers to subsidise cattle to the extent of £15.04 per head.