Vol. 495 No. 1
204 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has sought to have emergency intervention support introduced for 04 grades; if he will seek to have the carcase weight limit increased from 340 kgms to 360 kgms even for a defined period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19548/98]
In view of the extremely difficult situation in the beef sector at present arising from the loss of the Russian market, I have made strong representations to the European Commission to introduce suitable intervention arrangements to support the market. Specifically, I have sought to have these arrangements extended to include grade 04 steers and to have the processors' margin increased from 10 ECUs/100kgs to 14 ECUs/100kgs.
I have been informed by Commissioner Fischler that he has agreed in principle to widen the scope of intervention and I am hopeful that this will be done at the beef management committee at its meeting on 16 October.
