Vol. 539 No. 1
61 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, in view of confirmation by the EU Commission that it does not intend assisting meat factories which have in storage large beef stocks which were slaughtered prior to the destruct scheme and which they cannot sell, he will indicate the way in which he envisages this beef being disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18806/01]
I am aware that Irish beef processors are currently holding a quantity of beef which was produced prior to the introduction of the BSE testing or destruction requirement in relation to beef from over 30 month cattle. I understand the processors concerned are finding it difficult to dispose of these stocks. I have outlined to Commissioner Fischler the extent of the problem for the processors and have suggested that the purchase for destruction scheme should be used as a mechanism to deal with it. The Commissioner has not accepted this suggestion. Discussions are currently taking place with the Irish Meat Exporters Association to establish whether there are alternative solutions to the problem.
