Vol. 488 No. 4
145 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals, if any, he has to ask the EU to reintroduce the calf processing scheme; his views on whether the original scheme was successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6393/98]
The calf processing scheme was introduced in 1993 on a voluntary basis. However, in the context of the mini-reform of the beef regime in 1996, member states were required to implement either the calf processing scheme or an early marketing premium scheme for veal calves for the two years commencing in December 1996. Four member states — Ireland, France, the United Kingdom and Portugal — opted to implement the calf processing scheme. In view of the fact that there is no veal production in this country Ireland did not have any option but to implement the calf processing scheme.
The objective of the two schemes was to divert approximately two million calves away from beef production during the two years when measures are in place. The position is that approximately 1.125 million calves have been slaughtered under the calf processing scheme since 1 December 1996. While some 1.8 million calves have been processed under the early marketing premium scheme for veal calves, the number of additional calves diverted away from the beef production is far lower because of the nature of the scheme. Nevertheless, there is good reason to believe that the overall objective of diverting two million calves away from beef production is on target.
As I indicated earlier, the calf processing scheme and the early marketing scheme remain in place until next December. After that date, unless they are extended by the Agriculture Council in the meantime, the calf processing scheme will revert to a voluntary scheme while the early marketing scheme will cease to operate.
