Billy Timmins
Question:38 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in implementing the mechanical grading system for the meat factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9213/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2004
Questions (38, 39)
Joan Burton
Question:39 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with the progress being made in relation to the introduction of mechanical grading in meat factories; if he has further satisfied himself with the level of grant aid application received by his Department for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9161/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
I have already indicated my commitment to the early introduction of mechanical carcase grading in beef factories and regard it as an important step for the beef industry towards securing its future as a high quality supplier of beef to EU consumer markets. It is a policy that is favoured by the farm organisations and the beef processing industry and is included in Sustaining Progress. I was in a position earlier this year to officially approve three machines for commercial use in Ireland following the conclusion of formal trials conducted under the terms of EU Regulation 1215/2003.
In an effort to drive the implementation phase forward I announced a scheme of grant assistance towards the purchase and installation costs of the equipment. This included a grant rate of 40% of approved eligible expenditure, subject to a maximum of €170,000. This equated to a grant of up to €68,000 per machine installed.
The lack of take-up of the grant scheme is disappointing given the opportunity it presented to the industry to incorporate this modern method of classification of beef carcasses into their processing lines. This technology will be in widespread use in other EU countries later this year and would clearly enhance the producer processor supply chain and provide wider benefits to the industry in future years.
I remain confident that grading machines will be in operation in a large number of factories in the coming months.