Paul McGrath
Question:13 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has any proposals for a lamb classification scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Lamb Classification Scheme.
Community legislation provides for a lamb classification scheme which each Member State should operate on a voluntary basis from this month. The implementation of the scheme and its impact on price reporting will be monitored by the Commission for a transition period and it is expected that by 1 January 1997, a compulsory scheme will operate throughout the Community for all plants involved in intra Community trade.
My Department has been participating in discussions with CBF and factory and producer representatives on the implementation of a classification system for lamb. Those discussions have not as yet reached a successful conclusion due to differences between factory and producers interests on the technical and price reporting aspects of the proposed classification grid. The discussions are however still being pursued. An agreed classification system for lamb in this country would be an important asset in export marketing and the parties concerned should, in their own and the national interest, make every effort to reach agreement.