asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the serious fall in the incomes of small farmers because of the depressed state of markets for store cattle; and if he has any plans to assist in stabilising the market prices.
Written Answers. - Farm Incomes.
122.
In the context of the reform of the beef support arrangements earlier this year, I obtained the formal recognition of the EC Commission and the Council of Ministers of the importance of the beef industry to the Irish economy. I have continuously and successfully insisted that this recognition should be given practical effect in the way in which the various support measures are operated. In March of this year we got agreement to the introduction of carcase intervention and in September an aids to private storage scheme was introduced. In addition to these specific measures we have succeeded throughout the peak supply period in getting agreement at the beef management committee to the purchase of substantial quantities of beef into intervention in Ireland under the tendering system. These support measures have helped to maintain cattle prices at all stages of the production cycle. As a result, while prices have been somewhat below last year's record levels they have been above the levels which obtained in any other of the last five years. Furthermore, I am happy to say that there has been some improvement in prices in recent weeks.