Vol. 529 No. 1
385 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will compensate retrospectively farmers who sold cattle to meat factories in late 2000 at vastly reduced prices due to the BSE outbreak in some European countries; if he will apply the current rates of compensation to such farmers who have lost up to £1,500 per head on these animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1447/01]
407 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proposals he has to compensate cattle stockowners who disposed of their stock in November 2000 and got 70p to 80p per pound in line with the prices now being paid in the compensation package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1701/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 407 together.
It is not open to me, under EU rules, to provide compensation from the national Exchequer to those producers who sold cattle before the introduction of the purchase for destruction scheme. The Council of Agricultural Ministers has asked the Commission to prepare a report on the effect of the current BSE crisis which I expect will cover the impact on producers.
