Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cattle Prices.

Enda Kenny

Question:

238 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the average mart price of beef per kilo from heifers for the month of October for each of the past ten years; if he has satisfied himself with the prices available at marts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/01]

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

The average live weight price for heifer beef for the past ten years is as follows:

£/kg

1992	105.16
1993	115.20
1994	113.34
1995	112.74
1996	89.50
1997	94.76
1998	89.20
1999	88.25
2000	101.09
2001	89.63

Current prices reflect the difficulties on the market arising from the substantial surplus of beef in the European Union at present due to the reduction in beef consumption and the closure of major third country markets. It should be noted that heifers qualify this year for a slaughter premium of approximately £80 per head which was introduced under Agenda 2000.