Another matter that must be welcomed is the Minister's approach to deal with seasonality in beef production which is a cause of serious concern. A continuation of reduced prices in winter or spring for beef would mean a glut at the end of the grazing season. Not alone would it have serious consequences for our processors in meeting their market for fresh meat for export, but it would mean very poor prices in the glut period. Many of us hoped that the calf beef scheme under the western package would have dealt partially at least with seasonality in beef. Efforts have been made down the years to have a contractual production system between the producers and the processors, but seemingly it has come to nought. I welcome the Minister's decision to make an all out effort to ensure that the seasonality element is reduced as much as possible.
One thing that has been brought home to us in the last couple of years is the importance of the breeding stock, be it cattle, pigs, sheep or poultry. Anyone who visits meat plants and watches the slaughter of animals and the Department officials grading and stamping the carcases will very soon realise the importance of carcase conformity, etc.
I welcome the Minister's words regarding the pig industry where it is hoped output will be increased to three million pigs over a number of years. In the last few months there has been a substantial increase in pig prices. A serious effort has been made by a number of processors and a large processor is my constituency has set up one of the finest and most hygienic plants in Europe for pigmeat production. During the past few months there has been continuing discussion on the need to produce the best quality sheep.
Poultry producers have also been talking about the importance of breeding and hygiene. The Minister mentioned egg production. Unfortunately at the end of last year we had the salmonella scare which was more fiction than fact. To an extent it was played up. We must be very satisfied by the Department's approach in the voluntary code of practice. They will be monitoring egg production on a continuing basis. There were very serious effects on up 100 producers in my constituency. It is worth pointing out that home producers now command 85 per cent of the market while only a few years ago we were asking Ministers to ensure a reduction in imports because of the effects of such imports on home producers. I have no doubt that the proportion of the market commanded by home producers will have increased substantially by this time next year.
Money from the Structural Funds gives us an opportunity to re-examine the rural structure and consider the development of alternative farm enterprises. Many areas of development have been mentioned but they need to be examined closely. Anomalies and problems have arisen, especially in regard to rabbit production and the production of goat's milk. The mare premium introduced by the Minister is to be welcomed and this seems to be one of the more positive areas of alternative farm enterprise.
Recently the Minister announced the rural tourism scheme. This is an ideal opportunity to generate extra money on small farms which do not yield a family income. The tourism measures in the western package are welcome and I hope this will be one of the key areas for development.
Regarding the reclassification of disadvantaged areas, I hope special emphasis will be put on the remaining areas of Connacht-Ulster so that they will get what is due to them.
The former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Séamus Kirk, must be satisfied with the results of his efforts during the past few years. Nowhere is the success of these efforts more visible than in mushroom production in my constituency. This success is due to efficiency, proper hygiene and attention to detail. There is no room in mushroom production for the careless man who half does a job, but the person who acts responsible gets a reasonably good return. Well in excess of 1,000 jobs have resulted from such enterprises. Ireland has a very good image in areas where the product is distributed. I regularly meet people coming from England who admire the quality of the Irish mushroom. The system of distribution is second to none and one firm now commands 8 per cent of the market. The Minister must be satisfied at the success in this area in recent years.
I always felt that the withholding of grants from milk producers was a serious anomaly. If a producer exceeded his quota in any year the grant was withheld. The Minister has changed this system and, quietly and effectively, has eliminated the anomaly so that people can obtain their grants.
There is serious concern regarding the eradication of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. The Minister spoke about 15,000 herds being affected. There has been a serious breakdown recently in my immediate area. There have been discussions about badgers and so on but it is not possible for a vet or a Department official to identify the source of the problem.