Seán Power
Question:162 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the value of beef exported during 1997; the way in which this compares with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10298/97]
Written Answers. - Beef Exports.
CSO statistics on beef exports are compiled on a quarterly basis. Statistics for the first quarter of 1997 are not yet available.
Export statistics of beef for the first quarter of the two previous years are as follows:
|
Quantity (tonnes) |
Value (£'000) |
|
|
1995 |
141,915 |
218,381 |
|
1996 |
81,094 |
155,813 |
The higher quantity of exports in 1995 is due to high quantities of intervention beef sold during this period. As cattle slaughterings for the first quarter of 1997 were running at some 27 per cent above 1996 levels it is likely that exports in this period will exceed 1996 levels even though intervention purchases of 13,500 tonnes were made so far this year.
There was no intervention in the first quarter of 1995 and 1996.