Vol. 517 No. 3
53 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the beef task force implementation group will finalise and agree on the market price transparency model relating to returns from the beef market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9711/00]
62 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has for the publication of the prices paid by named meat plants on a weekly basis for each grade of steers, heifers and cows and the publication of carcass classification results; the way in which the market price transparency mechanism will work; and the way in which it will be independently verified. [7659/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 62 together.
The Government decision to establish a price transparency mechanism based on independent verification is being implemented through the monitoring committee of the beef task force which I set up to implement the recommendations of the beef task force. This committee has made substantial progress in devising a price transparency mechanism but has not yet finalised the arrangements for independent verification. The model under consideration would involve verification by an accounting firm. I have asked the monitoring committee to give this issue priority attention.
With regard to the publication of cattle prices paid by meat processors, my Department has published on a weekly basis prices paid for steers by named meat plants since early February 2000 and I believe that this arrangement is operating satisfactorily. It is my intention that similar information will be made available for cows and heifers as soon as the necessary analytical procedure can be put in place.
The carcass classification results for all categories of cattle slaughtered in meat export premises during 1999 were provided in reply to Question No. 8990/2000 of 28 March 2000. My Department will continue to publish the carcass classification results on a regular basis.
