Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017

Thursday, 23 March 2017

Questions (172, 173)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

172. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a report submitted by an organisation (details supplied) to the Directorate General for Competition in the European Commission with regard to the impact of the four movement rule for cattle as a requirement for a bonus payment under the quality payment system and whether this acts as a barrier to the free movement of goods, that is, cattle; if he has been requested for input from the EU Commission in relation to same; his plans to take action to address issues raised in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14698/17]

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

173. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department at any stage notified the European Commission of its decision, on the grounds of public policy and public health, to restrict the movement of cattle to a maximum of four movements in advance of slaughter; the reason for same; his views on whether this restriction is still necessary and proportionate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14699/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

My Department has not introduced any restrictions on the movement of cattle in advance of slaughter.

A Quality Payment System (QPS) for the payment of bonuses in respect of certain categories of cattle at slaughter plants was introduced in 2009 by agreement between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). My understanding is that the conditions attached to qualification for this bonus payment include a limit on the number of movements of cattle in their lifetime prior to slaughter. This is a purely private arrangement between both parties and my Department has no role in its design or implementation.

I understand that the only report that my Department is aware of submitted by the named organisation, was sent to the Directorate General for Competition in the European Commission in 2014. I am not aware of any other report since then and I have not received any request for input from the EU Commission in relation to this report.