Vol. 529 No. 4
125 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of cattle slaughtered in meat factories in the period from November 2000 up to 31 December 2000 after the renewed outbreak of BSE in European countries which caused the price collapse; when he will provide compensation for the owners of these cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3364/01]
126 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the discussion he has had with farm representatives in relation to a top up as a way of compensating farmers who sold cattle at low prices in November and December 2000; the support measures he will introduce to compensate farmers who sold cattle at a loss; when compensation will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2914/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
A total of 242,292 cattle were slaughtered in the period from 1 November to 31 December 2000. As far as compensation is concerned, I have informed the farming organisations that, while I am fully aware of the impact of the market difficulties on producers who sold cattle during this period, it is not open to me, under EU rules, to provide compensation from the national Exchequer to these producers. The Council of Agriculture Ministers has asked the Commission to prepare a report on the effect of the current BSE crisis which I expect will cover the impact on producers.
