Austin Deasy
Question:5 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the way in which the national beef herd will be affected by the introduction of quotas.
Written Answers. - Beef Quotas.
Dick Spring
Question:17 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of his plans to introduce beef quotas in this country, consequent upon the European Commission decision on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Paul Connaughton
Question:43 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the financial and other implications of allowing every small farmer to be grant-aided under the Common Agricultural Policy reform package to a minimum of 20 suckler cows and/or 20 beef premium grants; his views on whether small low stocking rate density farmers should be given three years to reach such a minimum quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ivan Yates
Question:145 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the year which will be the reference year for future limitations on the beef premium scheme; when a decision will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:161 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the way he intends to operate the new male beef premium and suckler cow premium; and whether 1993 will be the base year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 17, 43, 145 and 161 together.
The Common Agricultural Policy reform arrangements agreed for the beef sector provide for substantially enhanced payments under the special beef premium and suckler cow premium systems within certain limits.
In the case of the special male beef premium a national ceiling will be established based on the number of animals which have qualified for the existing premium in a reference year. Member states may choose 1990, 1991 or 1992 as the reference year. If the number of animals qualifying for the premium in a particular year exceeds the national ceiling then the number of eligible animals per producer shall be reduced proportionally. Within the national ceiling it is open to member states to impose individual producer quotas.
In the case of the suckler cow premium individual producer quotas must be applied. These too are to be based on a reference year which may be 1990, 1991 or 1992. Each member state will be obliged to establish a national reserve equal to between 1 per cent and 3 per cent of the total number of animals on which the suckler cow premium has been granted in the chosen reference year. This reserve shall be used for the benefit of priority category producers such as young farmers and others who, due to exceptional circumstances, have no quota. An additional reserve of 1 per cent will be created for the exclusive use of such producers in disadvantaged areas. Similar national reserve arrangements would apply for the male beef premium should we opt for individual producer quotas.
Where individual quotas apply, member states are not empowered to allow producers to build up quotas over a period of years. Quotas must be based on the selected reference year.
I am at present consulting with farming interests as to the most appropriate arrangements in implementing the discretionary aspects of the Common Agricultural Policy Reform package. I will be announcing my decisions on these issues at the appropriate time.
In these circumstances it is difficult, at this stage, to predict with any degree of certainty what effect the new arrangements will have on the national herd.