Vol. 467 No. 1
308 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to compensate specialist beef heifer producers for losses incurred as a result of the BSE crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12815/96]
The EU Commission has made proposals in relation to a compensation package for beef producers who have suffered income losses due to the BSE crisis. The proposals allow for a general top-up of the special beef premium and suckler cow premium and for an additional amount of money to be allocated to member states for targeting certain producers. Winter finisheres are clearly a category of producer that have been hardest hit by the crisis and I will be seeking to have compensatory payments targeted at those producers through the deseasonalisation premium.
Heifers have not been included in the beef support measures for many years on the basis that support for male cattle and suckler cows provides adequate support for beef producers generally. However, I am very much aware of the difficulties which specialist heifer producers have undergone since the beginning of the crisis and I am, therefore, prepared to consider the merits of those heifer producers who do not derive any specific income from EU funded schemes.
