Vol. 507 No. 4
15 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedures, if any, which will be put in place to ensure that the various recommendations and actions contained in the recent report of the beef task force are implemented in the timeframe set down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16534/99]
The beef task force which I established last November has now concluded its deliberations and submitted its report to me. This report sets out a plan of action for the beef industry covering the complete range of activity from production through to marketing. To deliver this action plan the task force has agreed a series of recommendations to be implemented within a three month timefame. Implementation of the recommendations of the task force is now the responsibility of the relevant parties operating in the sector, including the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State agencies. The Department will work with these bodies with a view to implementing the individual recommendations within the three month timeframe.
Will sanction be taken against those who do not comply with the implementation of the task force report? Has a commitment been given by the task force that technologies, which are moving fast in regard to food processing, particularly beef, will be used by the Irish industry? I understand our food processing industry is way behind that in some of the countries with which we are competing, as some of us saw in the past six months.
There was consensus on the outcome of this report. The group which looked into the beef industry was broadly based. That industry has been examined extensively over the past 20 years. If reports would sort out the problem, there are plenty of them. That is the reason I insisted on a three month timeframe for implementation of the various recommendations, which are both sensible and radical. Modern technology, including mechanisms for grading of cattle, is important. Paying a flat price has proved to be negative for the industry. I expect better quality breeding, given that the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation will be supported under this scheme, and better quality production and processing. I expect also better quality marketing through the marketing fund which will be contributed to by producers and processors as well as receiving additional support from the Exchequer.
The Minister wants the report implemented within three months, but farmers are seeking something that will guarantee a market in the autumn. The previous question which was transferred for written answer deals with fodder. The real problem regarding fodder is how the cattle can be marketed. In this report little attention is devoted to that crucial issue. Is the Minister satisfied that markets can be found to ensure cattle will be moved before the autumn?
Yes. The position is that we have to export 90 per cent of our produce. An export outlet has to be found for nine out of ten steers. An outlet is available, but the Department of Agriculture and Food, An Bord Bia and the industry want to find the most remunerative outlet. With high quality production, we can get into the high return markets. Given the marketing fund and that a substantial part of the report has recommendations on marketing, the industry has signed up to a pound per head, both at production and processing level, to be supported by the Exchequer for intensive marketing. That marketing has already commenced. The Minister of State and I – and indeed my colleague, the Minister for Defence – visited the Lebanon about 18 months ago. That market is now taking 38,000 head of cattle, which is on a par with our exports to Libya in the past. It has developed into a very worthwhile market so all members of the Government, the State agencies and the industry realise we have to continue to get the best return in the interest of supporting farmers in this particularly difficult environment.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
