asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to ensure that Irish beef is exported in special cuts rather than in carcase form.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Exports.
22.
In view of the employment and added value aspects, it is obviously desirable that the greatest possible proportion of our beef should be exported as cuts or in processed form. I have advocated this on many occasions and my Department have supported the making of grants for the provision of boning and processing facilities at many of our meat factories.
In recent years a proportion of our exports has been shipped in the form of vacuum packed cuts but the demand for this vac-pac beef on export markets has been developing only slowly.
I might add that the Community intervention arrangements provide positive encouragement for cutting and boning carcases and the export refund system involves a higher level of refunds in the case of cuts.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary noted the contents of a lecture given recently by the general manager of CBF in which he stated that the export of beef in special cuts could yield 3p per pound or approximately £20 per animal more than if the animal were sold in carcase form?
It is correct to state that beef exported in special cuts yields about 3p per pound more than when it is exported in carcase form. As I indicated, we are doing our best to ensure that as much beef as possible is boned before export so that not only will we get the best value in terms of money but that there will be the greatest employment content possible in the processing operations. I indicated also that the demand for vac-pac beef is developing rather slowly and we must be guided by the demand for the product. Unfortunately, this is not developing as rapidly as we had hoped.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his best is not good enough and that the trend is for cattle to go out on the hoof? It is a serious aspect of the trade that the cattle are not going out in carcase form, let alone in cuts.
If our best is not good enough, what does the Deputy suggest? We are dealing with this matter as effectively as possible.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what progress has been made towards persuading the EEC Commission to abandon the three kilogramme rule which inhibits the export of cuts to the Continent?
That is subject matter for a separate question.
It is not.
Question No. 23.