asked the Minister for Agriculture having regard to increasing exports of live cattle with the consequent loss of employment in this country, the steps he has taken or will take to impose disincentives on continuing exports on a large scale, with a view to securing increased employment in meat factories and in downstream meat products.
Written Answers. - Live Cattle Exports.
167.
Under EEC rules it is not possible to impose restrictions on the export of live cattle. In the case of exports to third countries refunds on live cattle and carcase beef have been equalised for some time. Efforts are continuing to have refunds on boneless beef set at a similar level so that the Community export refund system will be neutral in its effect on the various forms in which beef is exported.
As regards intra-Community trade, the monetary compensatory amount system is by and large favourable to trade in carcase beef and even more so to boneless beef exports. In spite of this the vast bulk of our exports to EEC countries consists of carcase beef. This suggests that factors such as undue reliance on traditional markets, high overheads in the boning industry and lack of marketing enterprise generally are responsible for the imbalance rather than Community arrangements.
In the long run, however, the basis for increased employment in the meat industry must be an increase in cattle production. The Government's policy is aimed at affecting such an increase on a significant scale.