Vol. 478 No. 2
131 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will elaborate on his recent statement in Farming 2000 and Beyond that seasonal beef production off grass was the key to the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10941/97]
In my address to the recent agri-food conference — Farming 2000 and beyond — I gave a wide-ranging assessment of the unfolding developments at EU and international level which will have a major bearing on the future policy framework under which our farming and food industry will operate into the new century. The enlargement of the Union to the East, the creation of a single currency and the next round of the world trade negotiations are some of the most important issues which will drive this policy.
Emphasis will have to be placed on the cost of production and in this regard the efficient utilisation of grass gives Irish farmers a competitive advantage. The maximisation of this advantage does not necessarily imply a move to seasonal production as winter feeding of silage is very much part of a grass based system.
The comment attributed to me, therefore, in a media article that I saw seasonal beef production off grass as the way forward for the beef industry is a misrepresentation of what I said at the conference.It is clear that a high value added, market led approach is vital for the beef industry and this is the kernel of current Government policy in this area. This can only be achieved by all year round production; not seasonal production.
