Vol. 533 No. 5
47 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on the current proposals on the reform of the European Union beef regime; when he expects the substantive negotiations to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9123/01]
Given the unprecedented scale of the crisis in the beef sector arising from a sharp fall in consumption and the closure of many third country markets because of the BSE situation in the EU, measures are needed to restore balance to the market both in the short and medium term. For the measures to be acceptable to me, they must be effective in terms of reducing beef production, they must be properly targeted and they must be equitable as between member states.
The Commission proposals have serious shortcomings in this regard and of particular concern is the proposal on suckler cows which unfairly targets that sector to reduce beef production. This could have a disproportionate impact on Ireland and I will be seeking to have the balance redressed in the negotiations in the Agriculture Council. I believe that it is possible to devise more effective supply control measures and I have suggested that a calf processing scheme or an early marketing premium as an option. The proposals on the special beef premium are also a cause of concern.
There have been preliminary discussions in the Council on these proposals but I do not expect substantive negotiations to take place until the European Parliament has delivered its opinion on the proposals in May. Apart from the proposals on intervention which, if adopted, will come into effect this year, the measures will not come into effect until 1 January 2002.
