As the Deputy may be aware I have vigorously opposed by all means at my disposal the Commission Regulation imposing a weight limit on carcasses which may be sold into intervention. The Government have decided to challenge this measure in the European Court of Justice and a case was lodged accordingly with the court on 4 June, 1993. The Government also applied to the Court on 13 June for interim measures whereby the implementation of the weight limit of 380 kgs as from date of the first tender in July 1993 would be suspended but the court did not grant this suspension. However, the court decision does not prejudice the outcome of our substantive case against the Commission Regulation.
Intervention is much less important in Ireland this year because of better and more consistent marketing by the beef industry, reduced beef production in the European Community, the re-opening of certain third country markets which had recently been closed to Irish beef and increased live exports. Accordingly, the effect of the 380 kg weight limit has been considerably reduced and, indeed, this year steer prices have been consistently above last year's levels. Despite the absence of any price reduction the direct compensatory payments under the premium schemes have been substantially increased.