asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will seek a modification of the current beef regime, so as to provide special spring price supports in order to compensate producers for wintering cattle and finishing beef in the springtime.
Written Answers. - Beef Price Supports.
94.
The relatively good prices enjoyed by autumn beef producers in recent years — due largely to a combination of intervention measures and private storage aids have tended to erode the margins of winter beef producers by altering traditional market price relationships. Consideration is being given to the possibility of improving the relative position of the latter group without adversely affecting the position of the former group. In addition, I will be raising the matter during the EC discussions on the beef regime, which will be taking place in the autumn. In any event any new measures would have to be in conformity with the EC common organisation of the market for beef and other relevant Community legislation.