While cattle prices are supported through the EU beef regime, they are ultimately determined by market forces. As far as heifers are concerned, factory prices are currently slightly higher than at this time last year.
With regard to the case referred to by the Deputy, the animal in question was correctly classified as a heifer. However, it was also certified as a reactor by the veterinary inspectorate at the plant. The animal was slaughtered on 6 September and the owner was paid the price quoted by the meat plant for reactor heifers for that week. I understand that, in the case of this plant, payment is made directly to the producer where the producer is present on the day of slaughter or visits the plant subsequently. Otherwise, payment is issued through the post one week after slaughter.
As far as the introduction of mechanical classification is concerned, I would like this technology be introduced into the Irish beef industry as soon as possible. However, there is no such system available at this stage which has the approval of the European Commission. In order to secure progress on this front, my Department, in conjunction with Teagasc, has recently supervised a large scale trial of three objective classification systems in Dawn Meats, Midleton. I am looking forward to the results of this trial, which should be available in January 2000.
