Vol. 542 No. 5
99 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proportion of cattle slaughtering accounted for by animals under 24 months of age; the number of beef producers who finish cattle at 24 months of age or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25134/01]
According to CMMS data the percentage of cattle slaughtered at under 24 months of age is 18%. Data on the number of beef producers involved are being compiled and will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Minister of State said that according to CMMS data the percentage of cattle slaughtered under 24 months of age is 18%, which I assume is over one year. Is it not the case that the publicity about the alleged opening of the Egyptian market is over the top? Does the Minister of State agree that there will be little coming out of it which will benefit Irish beef producers before the end of this year? Would it not have been more honest for his senior colleague to say that a small step was taken in the Egyptian market? Is the expectation, which resulted in an increase in store prices throughout the country, likely to be followed by a dashing of hopes and no profit for those finishing cattle early next year?
The reopening of any market is good news, especially considering that the other European countries are still excluded. The restrictions on 24 month beef, imposed by the Egyptian veterinary authorities, are similar to the last occasion. The sale of beef anywhere is welcome when there is a strange world market, particularly given the recession since 11 September. Egypt, which is our single biggest market, took 114,000 tonnes last year.
Its demand is for 24,000 tonnes. The Deputy will be aware of the adage – the customer is right and whatever he wants is what has to be supplied to him.
Will the Minister confirm my understanding that the 18% of our cattle that are finished at 24 months or less are already going to the high price end of the market? Does he also agree the current unchanged export refund for Egypt is inadequate to make that market competitive with the high price end of the market where these 18% of our cattle are already going? Does he agree the distinguished editor of the Irish Farmers' Journal is in for a big disappointment if he thinks substantial volumes of product will move out to Egypt between now and the end of this year?
In fairness, it is a question of whether the glass is half empty or half full. It depends on one's attitude towards it.
There is nothing in it.
Protocols are being drawn up between the two countries. Egypt is happy with the traceability aspect in Ireland and with the removal of risk material. This is a great move forward because we can now say to other countries that Egypt has opened its market to us and it is one of the most strict in the marketplace. Egypt is happy with the procedures being followed here. If it is happy, other people and other markets should be equally happy. It has asked that the beef be 24 months or less, that specified risk material be removed, that the beef must be fully traceable and it must not be from a herd that had BSE within a three year period and must not have been fed ruminant MBM. I am happy it is opening a market that was not available to us and this can open up further markets.
If the Egyptian authorities are satisfied with traceability, quality and so on, why did the Minister not pitch for a 30 months age specification which would have meant a real opening of the market as opposed to this purely hypothetical move?
It is not a hypothetical move, it is reality. That is what Egypt demanded. Egypt is the customer and we will export to that specification.
That shows the absolute failure of negotiations.
