Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Beef Task Force.

John Bruton

Ceist:

222 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will give his response to the finding by the agri food 2010 group that it was seriously concerned at the lack of progress to date on implementing the report of the beef task force; his views on the criticism involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter in respect of each of the recommendations of the beef task force. [12884/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The criticism in the agri-food 2010 group about the lack of progress in implementing the recommendations of the beef task force related to the need for rationalisation in the beef sector. The task force report recognised that responsibility for the matter rested primarily with the processing industry itself and, indeed, recommended that the industry should create a special fund to facilitate the removal of surplus/obsolete capacity to expedite the rationalisation process. In so far as Government action is concerned, the report recommended that public funds should be provided for an industry investment and development programme involving capital expenditure in existing and new facilities and the suppression of inefficient operations which are surplus to requirements. The Government has already decided, in the context of the national development plan, to give priority to the beef sector at primary slaughtering and processing level. An operational programme to give effect to this decision is under preparation. This initiative, operating in partnership with the industry itself, should facilitate development and rationalisation in the beef processing industry in a planned way.

As far as the other recommendations of the task force are concerned, I have established a monitoring committee to oversee the implementation of the recommendations relating to price transparency export promotion, carcase classification and graded pricing. I understand that considerable progress has been made on these areas within the monitoring committee.

The remaining recommendations of the beef task force largely concern primary production and, depending on their nature are for implementation by the industry itself and by the relevant State agencies in co-operation with my Department. These recommendations call for an improvement in the quality of cattle through better breeding and husbandry practices in order to ensure an adequate supply of high quality beef needed to meet the demanding requirements of the EU market. Both Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation have intensified their efforts in recent months to promote the development of quality breeding by producers. For example, Teagasc has just completed a series of eight road shows designed to give producers guidance on the ideal heifer replacement essential for the production of quality beef.

However, in the final analysis, producers' decisions in this area will be based on the extent to which prices paid by beef processors regard quality production. This is primarily a matter for the industry itself. The introduction of mechanical classification would facilitate progress in this area. In view of this, my Department has funded a major trial on mechanical classification in order to evaluate the accuracy of mechanical systems relative to the current system of visual assessment. This trial showed that mechanical classification has potential but needs to be improved if it is to replace visual assessment. My Department is also currently involved in discussions at EU level on the standards to be achieved by mechanical system if they are to be approved for use. I hope for progress in this area in the coming months. In conclusion, I am satisfied with the progress being made on implementation of the task force recommendation to date and I expect to see further substantial progress in the next few months.