Denis Foley
Question:40 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers in receipt of a slaughter premium who are also in receipt of a suckler cow grant and/or a special beef premium. [10621/96]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The total number of farmers who have already been paid under the 1995 slaughter premium scheme is 16,434 representing 98 per cent of all applicants. Of these, 6,485 farmers received both suckler cow and special beef premium, while 8,894 received special beef premium and 289 were paid suckler cow premium. Some 766 farmers were in receipt of slaughter premium alone.
Helen Keogh
Question:41 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the special slaughter premium for beef will be continued in 1997 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10607/96]
The deseasonalisation slaughter premium is payable in member states where the number of steers slaughtered in the period 1 September to 30 November of the second preceding year exceeds 40 per cent of annual steer slaughterings. This scheme is designed to encourage a better seasonal spread of slaughterings in regions with traditional seasonal imbalances in production. It has been very successful in Ireland in meeting this objective. Because of the success of the scheme steer slaughterings in the period September-November 1995 were just over 36 per cent of annual slaughterings and, therefore, below the 40 per cent limit necessary to trigger the scheme in 1997.
Under the 1996-97 price proposals the Commission has proposed a reduction in the trigger to 38 per cent, based on total steer slaughterings in the island of Ireland. In addition, when the trigger is not reached member states would have the option of maintaining the premium at 60 per cent of its current rate, which would be financed by way of reduction in the second tranche of the special beef premium. This proposal, as it stands, is unacceptable to me for a number of reasons, including the fact that it would mean that the existing premium would not apply in 1997. I am pressing to have the trigger reduced to 35 per cent and based on steer slaughterings in individual member states, with a provision that, in the case of the island of Ireland where it is triggered in one jurisdiction, it automatically applies in the other. This would allow this very important premium continue uninterrupted in 1997 and prevent a return to the previous seasonality pattern. I do not expect a final decision on this before the meeting of Agricultural Council on 24-25 June.