Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 5

Written Answers. - Beef Industry.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

57 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will challenge the EU ban on T-bone steaks; his views on whether such a ban would prove damaging to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4251/01]

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

Ireland will be seeking a derogation from the terms of the recent decision of the Standing Veterinary Committee on the vertebral column which is due to come into effect on 1 April 2001. Among the bases for seeking such a derogation is the endorsement of Ireland's stringent BSE controls by the EU scientific steering committee and position taken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on Ireland's handling of BSE in general.

While I would have preferred if the Commission had granted Ireland a derogation from the outset, I do not believe that decision not to do so will cause major damage to Ireland. Our BSE controls are second to none and the decision allows for the export of carcases in a form that would include the vertebral column. However I have already signalled my intention to seek a derogation.

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

58 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will launch the new national development plan for food; the essential elements of the new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3881/01]

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

The food related elements of the national development plan provide for an indicative public funding allocation of £282 million for the food industry over the period 2000-06. This funding will be used to finance the following four measures: capital investment, £120 million; research and development, £83 million; promotion and market development, £48 million; human resources, £31 million.

These measures, which will be administered, as appropriate, by my Department, An Bord Bia and the industrial development agencies, represent a comprehensive response to the development needs of the industry as identified by the food industry development group and the Agri Food 2010 committee. In particular they are aimed at enhancing the industry's competitiveness and innovative capability while at the same time helping to ensure that development is underpinned by attention to food safety and quality issues.

It is intended that the measures will be formally launched within the next few weeks. Meanwhile a number of them have already been brought into operation and arrangements for the implementation of the remainder are at an advanced stage.