Vol. 510 No. 3
53 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the mechanisms, if any, which will be put in place to ensure that the recommendations and actions contained in the recent report of the beef task force are implemented in the timeframe set down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/99]
76 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress, if any, made with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the plan produced by the task force on the beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22416/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 76 together.
The beef task force which I established last November submitted its report to me last June. This report sets out a strategic plan for the beef industry covering the complete range of activity from production through to marketing. To deliver this plan the task force also agreed a series of recommendations, the implementation of which are the responsibility for all interested parties involved in the beef industry, and including the relevant State agencies. I have set up a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Tom O'Dwyer to progress implementation on the recommendations relating to the pilot promotion scheme, the introduction of a price transparency mechanism, graded pricing, mechanical classification and a code of practice.
There has been substantial progress on the pilot promotion programme. Considerable progress has also been made on the development of a price transparency mechanism and a special meeting of the monitoring committee has been arranged for 25 November to finalise this. The mechanical carcase classification trial has been completed and it is expected that the results will be available early next year.
My Department is working with the interested parties with a view to ensuring the early implementation of the other recommendations.
