Vol. 467 No. 7
391 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to accede to the request of the Irish Cattle Traders and Stockowners Association to have a representative appointed to the Cattle Breeding Authority which has been recently established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14298/96]
The Cattle Breeding Authority referred to by the Deputy has not yet been established. The proposal for the establishment of such a body came first from an industry committee of organisations involved in cattle breed improvement activities. This proposal formed the basis for a feasibility study which was completed in October 1995. The results of that study are currently being examined by an Interim Planning Board (IPB) which was formed out of the original industry committee. The work of the IPB is expected to be concluded by the end of July. It is only at that stage that it will be known whether or not a Cattle Breeding Authority is to be formed.
