Damien English
Question:63 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures he has in place or proposes to put in place regarding the quality of Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20697/02]
Written Answers. - Beef Quality Assurance Scheme.
My Department, various State agencies and the industry itself all have a role in promoting the production of quality beef. To this end, the introduction of the national beef assurance scheme some years ago helped to restore consumer confidence in beef and to meet ongoing changes in consumer demands. Key elements of this scheme are the institution of a system of traceability and identification of all cattle and the development of standards of excellence in both production and processing. This scheme is compulsory and it underpins the voluntary beef quality assurance scheme operated so successfully for many years by Bord Bia. I believe that these schemes give us an advantage over other member states of the EU in that we have a framework for the delivery of assurances to consumers and customers about our rigorous controls and the quality of our product.
My Department also has a number of livestock improvement schemes in place. Major responsibilities in this area have been transferred in recent years to the ICBF, which has made major progress since its establishment in encouraging and promoting better breeding practices. Teagasc has a very significant role in this area also both in relation to research and advice to farmers and has been highly successful in its endeavours over the years. The development of a large suckler herd is an important advantage.
I have also used some of the funds available from the national envelope under Agenda 2000 to encourage and reward quality beef production. For example, one third of the national envelope is used to top-up the slaughter premium on beef breed heifers and a further third is used to encourage a more rapid replacement of suckler cows in order to improve the overall quality of the breeding herd.
The major responsibility for the production of quality beef, however, rests with the industry itself. In the final analysis, producers decisions on cattle breeding and husbandry practices are governed by financial considerations and, unless producers are rewarded for quality, the industry will not have an adequate supply of high quality beef to meet the growing demand in the European Union. The reality is that, if the industry wants to move up the value chain and increase its presence on the European market, it needs to put in place a price structure which rewards quality.