asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total amount of MCAs paid by exporters of live and carcase beef since MCAs were introduced; and (a) the total live exports (b) the total carcase exports and (c) the total carcase and live exports since 1st January, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - MCA Payments.
10.
Up to 31st October MCA export charges on Irish live cattle and carcase beef have amounted to £38 million approximately. This is a gross figure and it does not take account of the MCA subsidies paid on imports of our cattle and beef into the UK and Italy, which in the case of the UK have always been greater than the export charges.
Exports during the same period, but up to the end of September, totalled 1.8 million live cattle and 715,500 tonnes of carcase beef, of which 270,600 tonnes live animals and 125,700 tonnes of carcase beef relate to the period from 1st January to 30th September, 1976.
Thirty-eight million pounds for this year so far?
Up to October this year.
Could the Minister say if there will be any changes in the calculations in the coming year?
I am sorry. It was £38 million since MCAs were introduced up to 31st October. That is for the total period. That is a gross figure and it does not take account of the subsidy.
Will the Minister state the amount for the nine months of this year?
I was not asked for that information and I am sorry I have not got it.
Will the Minister state if there is to be any change in the MCA in the coming year?
As we have further depreciation of the £ there is bound to be a substantial change.
When does the Minister expect the change to come about in view of the depreciation of the £?
I do not quite understand the Deputy. Is he asking if the charges are going to rise again following the last devaluation?
Yes.
It depends entirely on the way sterling behaves. It has gone up and has gone down in the last week. It may be up again next week.
Is the Minister making every effort in Brussels to ensure that the amount this is costing the country is reduced rather than increased?
I think we have more than ample evidence of the efforts being made to try to get rid of MCAs.
Is the Minister having any success in this matter?
We have had an immense amount of success during the years.
What about last week?
Is the Minister worried about what happened at the summit conference? I am not saying he has not made strong representations on the matter but there seems to be very slight hope that the cost will be reduced. The fear is that it may be increased.
There was no hope or expectation of a decision at the summit on MCAs.
There was nothing.
There was a presentation of the seriousness of the situation for this country in the hope and expectation that much thought and consideration will be given to the position before the next meeting of the Agriculture Ministers.
What are the Minister's hopes in the matter? The papers are not very optimistic. Has the Minister any hope that the arguments put forward by us will succeed?
The Deputy knows I am always hopeful.
The Minister is not optimistic?
I have not said that. I am always optimistic.