With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 13, inclusive, together. While I agree that our livestock should, to the greatest extent possible, be processed in Ireland, nevertheless I regard the continuance of a live export trade as essential to maintain balance and competition in the industry. In any event I am advised that a levy on exports of live animals for any of the reasons mentioned would be "a charge having an equivalent effect to a customs duty" and as such would be prohibited by the Treaty of Rome.
Many of the recommendations in the McKinsey Report have been incorporated in a plan for the food processing industry which has recently been put forward by the Food, Drink and Tobacco Federation of the Confederation of Irish Industry. The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy and I recently discussed this plan with the Federation.
The Study refers to areas in our beef industry that will require special attention, in particular greater production of processed products and improved marketing. I intend to take all possible steps to facilitate the achievement of these objectives. In this connection, I am, for example, currently pursuing with the EEC Commissioner for Agriculture possible ways of removing or offsetting anomalies in the MCA system, which hinder exports of processed beef.
