I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 64 and 67 together.
The EC common organisation of the market in beef provides for a number of support measures such as intervention, aids to private storage, premia and export refunds which are designed to assist cattle and beef producers and processors. The interaction of a series of complex measures such as these can, when taken in conjunction with other factors such as market exchange rates and "green" rates, give rise to marginal distortions in some subsectors of the industry, some favourable and some adverse. However, in the overall context, these measures are of significant benefit to Irish agriculture and our economy generally.
My Department's policy is to maintain regular contact with the trade interests involved and with the EC institutions with a view to eliminating adverse anomalies as the opportunity arises.
Exports of live cattle have been declining in recent years and exports in 1987 were the lowest in modern times. I am anxious to ensure that live cattle exports are reduced even further so that the extra benefits derived from deboning, cutting up and processing the beef can be generated within the Irish economy. However, any specific action by the Government has to be taken within the limitations of Community law. There is little scope here for unilateral national action — and there is a very large industry to imperil by ill-considered action. Every effort is being made to have all negative anomalies satisfactorily resolved.
63.