Vol. 492 No. 1
17 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will use his veto in the CAP reform negotiations to protect Irish drystock farmers from the totally unacceptable proposals for a 30 per cent cut in beef market supports. [13466/98]
The Commission's proposals for the reform of the beef regime were presented by Commissioner Fischler to the Agriculture Council at its meeting on 31 March l998. At that meeting, I made it clear that the proposals, as presented, would have a seriously negative impact on Ireland and were, therefore, unacceptable. I outlined the main areas where Irish agriculture would suffer as a result of the proposals and emphasised I could not accept a price reduction of 30 per cent without adequate compensation for producers and without adequate support arrangements for the market. I reiterated my general opposition to these proposals at the meeting of the Agriculture Council on 25-26 May l998.
Negotiations on these proposals are at an early stage and I am confident that as they progress significant improvements can be achieved. I am conscious of the concerns of drystock producers and will spare no effort in seeking to ensure they are taken into account in any final settlement.
I am sure the Minister's reply is a positive signal to the drystock producers, particularly those in the midlands. Will he agree that livestock producers have the lowest income of all farm groups at about £100 per acre, according to Teagasc figures? Given the way in which the proposals are framed, will he also agree that 65,000 farmers with 20 suckler cows or less, many of whom are based in the west, will receive only a £4 increase per cow and that continental farmers who factory farm bull beef would receive a premium of £176 per cow and a May sileage subsidy of £115 per acre? Will he agree that the May sileage subsidy and the 1 per cent increase in the milk quota are a direct attack on Ireland's vital national interest? Is he harnessing support at EU level to ensure the proposals, as formulated, are rejected and that our interests are safeguarded and protected?
Is the Minister satisfied he will get sufficient support from his Cabinet colleagues, especially the Taoiseach? There is a need for the Taoiseach to take an active role in the European Union to safeguard Irish farmers.
There is a proposal for a 30 per cent cut in institutional prices for beef. Also there are a number of other factors in the Commission's proposals which would be detrimental to Irish farming and to beef farming. We are seeking support from individual member states. We have bilateral meetings with virtually all member states and will continue to insist that our primary industry, the beef industry, is not negatively affected by these proposals. The Taoiseach is in Lisbon today and will be in Cardiff at a meeting of heads of Government later. On each of those occasions he will raise this matter to ensure the best possible outcome. These negotiations are at an early stage and will continue for the remainder of the year. I have established consultation groups in beef and other areas to help make a case to me in the most comprehensive way possible.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
