asked the Minister for Agriculture if jobs are at risk in the canned meat industry because of the monetary compensatory amounts system and if the introduction of a subsidy similar to the British meat industry employment subsidy to preserve these jobs is being considered.
Written Answers. - Canned Meat Industry.
220.
The problems in the canned beef sector arise principally because monetary compensatory amounts do not apply to cooked beef exports and this gives UK manufacturers, who can import MCA-subsidised raw material, a substantial advantage over Irish manufacturers. I have raised this matter at the highest level in Brussels and a number of solutions have been proposed to the EEC Commission. These proposals are at an advanced state of examination.
I consider that the difficulties in the cooked beef industry are caused by a defect in the Community regulations and for this reason I am insisting that the EEC should take action to remedy this defect.