Pat Rabbitte
Question:80 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position regarding the proposed heifer premium schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5055/00]
Written Answers. - Heifer Premium Schemes.
The Agenda 2000 agreement provided for the payment of a slaughter premium on all cattle, including heifers, slaughtered in the EU or exported live to third countries. The slaughter premium will amount to £21.26 per head in 2000, £42.52 per head in 2000 and £63.78 in 2002.
Under the Agenda 2000 agreement, some of the compensation to producers for the reduction in institutional prices is provided through a national envelope of funds over which member states have considerable discretion in allocating. I have decided that the £8.2 million available for the year 2000 will be distributed as a top-up payment on the slaughter premium. Under the arrangement, producers will receive a top-up on all beef breed heifers under 33 months of age slaughtered during 2000 up to a maximum of 160 per holding.
It is estimated that the top-up will amount to approximately £18 per head.