Avril Doyle
Question:4 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has for the future operation of beef carcass classification at meat factories. [2897/94]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Carcass Classification.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:27 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has to privatise the grading system at meat factories; the basis for the proposal; his views on whether it is appropriate that meat factories should grade their own meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2766/94]
Liz O'Donnell
Question:57 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, his Department has to discontinue classifying beef carcasses at meat factories and to allow meat factory personnel carry out beef grading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2792/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 27 and 57 together.
The operation of the beef carcass classification scheme is under review in my Department. Consequently, no decisions have been taken as to the extent of my Department's future involvement in the scheme.
I should point out that EU regulations permit carcass classification to be carried out by meat factories under the general supervision of the public authorities and, indeed, this is the practice in several member states. In Ireland, carcass classification for pigmeat, in a limited scheme, for sheepmeat, is carried out by the factories under the supervision of my Department. In our review of the beef classification arrangements our aim is to ensure that we have in place the most effective and cost-efficient system possible.
Why is the present system under review? Is it not operating satisfactorily? Was the review initiated by Brussels or Dublin?
All systems are kept under review in the Department in the context of cost efficiency and effectiveness. There were comments by the Commission about this. Our view is that the system operated by us is within the regulations. That would have given some focus to the situation. However, in general, all these systems are kept under review for the reasons mentioned.
There are 100,000 cattle producers here so this issue is extremely important. Will the Minister agree that under whatever system we have, justice must be done and be seen to be done? Will the Minister assure us that he will not change the system to one that is less transparent and less independent than the present one and ensure that there will always be a proper appeal system? Will he consider leaving the present system, albeit with efficiencies? As one wise commentator put it, to ask the factories to grade the meat and hence decide the price the farmer will get is like playing a football game with the referee playing for the opposition. The system should be transparent and fair.
In the light of the continuing review the points made by the Deputy will be taken into consideration.