Vol. 494 No. 4
104 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, taken to persuade the EU from releasing intervention beef on the Russian market at a critical time when it may replace Irish meat exports to that country. [18441/98]
223 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the communications, if any, his Department has had with the EU Commission regarding its decision to release 85,000 tonnes of intervention stocks onto international markets at this inopportune time when there is oversupply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18713/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 223 together.
I am fully aware of the importance of the Russian market for Irish beef exports and, indeed, of the difficulties which the financial crisis in that country has created for the beef sector in Ireland. I have expressed my concern to Commissioner Fischler that the sale of intervention beef to Russia could undermine the commercial trading structures which have been built up between Irish and Russian traders in recent years and, accordingly, that it could delay the recovery of our former trade with that country. I have made it clear to the Commissioner that our primary objective must be to protect the commercial trade in beef with Russia.
On the specific question of the Commission's decision to release 85,000 tonnes of intervention stocks on to international markets, both I and my Department have made it clear to the Commission that the sale of this beef at the present time could have a negative impact on commercial trade and we have asked the Commission to adopt a cautious approach to such sales. I should point out, however, that a substantial proportion of the beef offered for sale is restricted to central and eastern Europe where the EU has very little commercial trade at present and which, therefore, would have little impact on commercial trade.
