I propose to take Questions Nos. 201, 212 and 217 together. The level of exports of live cattle up to the week ending 9 March 1997 was 10,748 head. Since the beginning of the year there have been no live exports to third countries. In 1996 approximately 90 per cent of cattle produced in Ireland were slaughtered in Irish abattoirs with 10 per cent exported live. Under the Government strategy for the food industry, the objective is to maximise the value added aspect of the cattle and beef industry. Grants are available for investment, market promotion and research in the beef sector. The deseasonalisation premium which is payable on slaughterings of steers between 1 January and 10 June is also a very important element of this strategy. The premium has served to even out the level of slaughterings throughout the year, thereby providing a steady throughout of cattle and allowing factories to operate their enterprises and marketing arrangements more efficiently.
While it is Government policy to maximise the added value potential of the beef industry, a certain quantity of live exports is necessary to maintain competition in the market place. Following is a breakdown of total cattle slaughterings, live cattle exports and beef exports over the years in question.