Vol. 473 No. 4
555 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the contingency plans, if any, he has in place to assist those farmers who have bought in stock and feed for the winter should the Russian ban be widened; the impact on cattle prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1650/97]
The extension of the Russian restrictions on imports of beef from Ireland should not significantly interfere with our high volume beef export trade to Russia. Approximately 60 per cent of our steer beef production remains eligible for the Russian market and this should provide sufficent scope for the Irish beef industry to maintain beef exports to Russia at the 1996 levels. In view of this, I do not expect the new arrangements to have serious repercussions on cattle prices here. I should point out that, in the context of adoption of the 850 mecu BSE compensation package last June, I succeded in having the trigger level for the deseasonalisation premium reduced from 40 per cent to 35 per cent in order to insure the continuation of this premium into 1997. This premium, which is equivalent to 7p/lb, will be of major assistance in protecting the incomes of beef producers this winter.
