Vol. 530 No. 5
67 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he has taken to address the grievances which resulted in a sit-in at his Department by members of the ICSA; the contact he has had with the organisation since the sit-in ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/01]
The issues raised with me by the ICSA included the need for an increase in export refunds and further diplomatic efforts to secure the reopening of third country markets, compensation for cattle slaughtered in November and December 2000, the adoption of measures to encourage the slaughter of cows under the purchase for destruction scheme and representation on various committees.
As far as third country markets are concerned, I have made strong representations to the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Fischler, for an increase in export refunds. Efforts are ongoing at political, technical and diplomatic level, involving my own Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and An Bord Bia to reopen those markets which are closed to us. A delegation of senior officials from my Department visited Egypt this week to press for the reopening of that market.
On compensation for cattle which were sold in the later part of last year, I have already stated that it is not open to me to provide compensation to producers who sold these cattle. However, the EU Commission has undertaken to submit a report to the Agriculture Council on the impact of the BSE situation on beef producers and it is likely that this issue will be covered in that report.
With reference to the purchase for destruction scheme, a considerable number of cows have already been sold into the scheme. My Department is currently examining the possibilities of a more targeted approach to certain categories of cows within the scheme.
On the issue of the representation on various committees, the ICSA has been invited to submit a list of committees on which it considers it should be represented. I will examine their suggestions when I receive its submissions. I have not had any meeting with the ICSA since the sit-in ended. Both I and my Department are, however, available to meet with the organisation.
