Vol. 470 No. 4
280 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has compared the changes in retail beef prices with those at producer level for the period before and after the BSE crisis of 20 March 1996 and, if so, if he will make this information available. [18995/96]
The monitoring of retail prices is a function of the Director of Consumer Affairs. However, since the BSE crisis, I have paid particular attention to the price of beef at retail level as against the price received by producers.
Data from the CSO shows that the Consumer Price Index for beef for the period mid-February to mid-August fell by four points on the scale. Average deadweight prices for cattle and heifers slaughtered at licensed export abattoirs fell by 16 per cent over the same period.
While the CSO data indicates that retail prices have fallen to some extent, I am concerned that the fall in producer prices has not been adequately reflected at retail level. Accordingly, last month, I asked the Director of Consumer Affairs if he had carried out an investigation of this issue.
The Director of Consumer Affairs has now informed me that he has obtained from the major supermarket chains details of monthly changes in their purchase and retail prices for the main beef cuts. The investigation has revealed that supermarkets generally have passed on to consumers reductions in the cost of their beef.
