Noel Davern
Question:248 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the meat processing industry will receive compensation for BSE losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6171/97]
Written Answers. - BSE Compensation.
I am aware that the beef processing sector faced major difficulties in the period following immediately after the BSE crisis last year. These earlier losses, however, were more than adequately counter balanced by gains over the remainder of the year due to the increase in throughput of cattle in meat factories and the availability of raw materials at the lower prices.
Producers, on the other hand, had a very difficult year, particularly in the second half of the year when prices remained close to safety net for a lengthy period. While the June 1996 compensation package will go a considerable way towards compensating producers for the losses incurred, I am satisfied that the extent of their losses justifies the allocation of the entire October package to this segment of the beef industry.