Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Destruct Scheme.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

154 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of cattle which have been bought into the destruct scheme by his Department to date; the further number which can be bought in before the scheme ends; if he can give a breakdown on the number of animals whether cows or bullocks; and if he intends to have the scheme extended. [15597/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Up to 18 May, 232,537 animals – 1,672 bulls, 125,292 steers, 77,679 cows and 27,804 heifers – had been slaughtered under the EU purchase for destruction scheme. In accordance with the EU Regulation 2777/2000 the scheme ends on 30 June 2001. Intervention for steers and a special purchase scheme for cows, bulls and heifers will be available to support market prices from July.