Vol. 457 No. 7
296 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the disquiet among livestock farmers resulting from the recent cut of £2.73 per cwt. on live export refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16039/95]
Responsibility for managing the export refund system rests with the EU Commission in consultation with the Management Committee. The reduction referred to by the Deputy followed a significant upsurge in applications for advance fixing certificates throughout the European Union. It has not had any immediate impact on cattle prices.
I have raised the issue at the most recent meeting of the Agriculture Council with a view to ensuring that a more considered approach is pursued by the EU Commission on the question of refunds and that unnecessary disruption to the market is avoided.
