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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Purchase for Destruction Scheme.

Question:

162 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total number of animals slaughtered under the beef for destruction scheme which ended on 30 June 2001; the total cost involved; the total quantity of beef acquired to date under the special purchase scheme which commenced on 1 July 2001; the costs involved; if he will consider diverting beef acquired under the special purchase scheme to families in need and organisations assisting the under-privileged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25117/01]

Joe Walsh

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

A total of 278,025 animals were slaughtered under the EU purchase for destruction scheme, which ended on 30 June 2001, at a total cost of approximately £198 million, consisting of purchasing costs of £160 million and operating costs of £38 million. Under the special purchase scheme, SPS, tenders for 35,481 tonnes of beef have been accepted to date by the European Commission from Ireland at an estimated value of £51 million while expenditure on the operating costs of the SPS to date has amounted to approximately £4 million.

By virtue of the EU regulation governing the SPS, member states have the options of rendering the meat or storing it in bone-in or boneless form or in the form of canned products. I am examining the possibilities of storing some of the meat purchased under the scheme in canned form. The distribution of such canned meat in the manner suggested or for other purposes would be subject to the prior approval of the European Commission.

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