Vol. 440 No. 6
60 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by development organisations regarding the impact of the sale of quantities of subsidised EU beef to west African Countries; if he will raise the matter at the Council of Agriculture Ministers and seek the phasing out of this trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the concern expressed in relation to the sale of subsidised EU beef to West African countries and the issue was in fact discussed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in January last. Members of the Council, including Ireland, supported continuous monitoring by the EU Commission of the impact of subsidised beef exports to west African countries to ensure that damage to domestic production is avoided. The refund on beef exports to these countries has been reduced by 28 per cent over the past nine months.
The use of refunds for exports of beef, and of other agricultural products, from the EU has been, and remains, a central element of the market support regime for Irish agricultural and food products and consequently is of major benefit to farmers' incomes, employment in the processing sector and the national economy as a whole. I regard the EU export refund system as an essential part of the Common Agricultural Policy but I also favour modification of its effects where its operation creates particular difficulties for developing countries.
