Vol. 454 No. 6
31 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that Irish cattle producers qualify for winter beef slaughter premiums in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11244/95]
The deseasonalisation slaughter premium will be payable in Ireland in 1997 if steer slaughterings in the period 1 September to 30 November 1995 exceed 40 per cent of the total slaughterings for that year. It will not be possible to confirm whether this level of slaughterings has been attained until the total slaughterings in 1995 have been completed.
In view of the fact that, on the basis of trends in recent years, there is a possibility that the 40 per cent figure may not be reached this year, I have asked the European Commission, as part of a review of the scheme later this year, to propose the reduction of this trigger to 35 per cent in order to guarantee payment of the premium in 1997.
