The fundamental importance to the economy of our trade in meat and livestock is well recognised and so is its potential for further development. The aim of the Bill now before this House is to provide the means by which this potential may be translated into fact.
Irish beef production, both at farm and at factory level, is in a healthy state but the marketing end of the industry is less satisfactory. The base on which we are now building dates from the establishment of Córas Beostoic agus Feola Teoranta as a limited company in 1969. Its main functions were to promote exports of cattle and sheep and meat—but it had no selling role at all. Despite its narrow brief CBF has made a big contribution in developing exports of Irish livestock and meat. I am convinced that more can be done, provided we give CBF a more involved role in the industry and back it up with enough funds to make its presence felt. This is why I am proposing the winding up of CBF Teoranta, its replacement by the new, statutory, CBF, and the granting to the new body of wider powers than its predecessor enjoyed.
The main features of the Bill, therefore, are to provide CBF with a wide promotional role, to give it limited trading powers and to enable it to finance part of its operations by means of a small levy on the industry. For this purpose the board will be restructured and outside assistance can be enlisted in an advisory capacity through a system of committees. Essentially, therefore, what I am setting out to do is to secure further development of the meat and livestock trade particularly in the export area, but I am asking the industry which benefits from the board's work to make a contribution towards the cost of that work. It is a big and prosperous industry and well able to afford it.
I am happy to be able to say that, apart from some points of detail, the Bill received a large measure of support in the Dáil. All parties have recognised the need for more vigorous action in this field. I am confident that this House will also show its support for a measure designed to help everyone who is involved in the livestock and meat industry. Many of the provisions in the Bill could be regarded as standard for statutory bodies so perhaps I need only mention the distinctive features of the Bill.
First of all a part of CBF's income will now come from the industry through a levy of 50p on cattle and 5p on sheep. These are smail sums compared with the present price of cattle and sheep. This levy will on the one hand ease the burden on the Exchequer—though Exchequer support will continue—and on the other hand will ensure the active commitment of the industry to the board.
CBF will also have a selling role, which its predecessor did not have. There is no question at all, however, that CBF will go into competition against existing export interests. Their role will be confined to seeking out new markets and, at least in the begining, efforts will be limited to third country markets. CBF will also have a new role in encouraging meat consumption on the home market, a natural consequence of collecting a levy on slaughterings for the domestic trade.
There will be a board of ten. I have deliberately kept it small so that it will be able to function most effectively. For a board of this size, it is difficult to get agreement from all the interests concerned that their representation reflects their contribution to the trade. I have, of course, taken into account the views expressed by interests most affected by this legislation, namely, the Irish Fresh Meat Exporters Society Ltd., the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd., the Irish Livestock Exporters and Traders Association Ltd., the Irish Master Butchers Federation and CBF Teoranta. Lengthy discussions with all of these interests took place. All things considered I think they will agree that the proper balance has been struck between "small" and "representative".
Whilst the board itself will number only ten, CBF will have freedom to draw from outside its own membership for advice in relation to its statutory functions. All the expert knowledge of the industry will, therefore, be at its disposal through a system of committees, though all decision making will, naturally, remain in the hands of the board itself.
We had a constructive debate in the Dáil and I hope I can look forward to equally constructive contributions from Members of this House.
I commend this Bill to the House.
