Jack Wall
Ceist:239 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total exports of Irish beef in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1619/03]
Written Answers. - Beef Exports.
A total of 445,000 tonnes of beef was exported in 2002. Of this 245,000 tonnes were exported to the UK, 110,000 tonnes to other EU countries and 90,000 tonnes to third countries.
Jack Wall
Ceist:240 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the country which is the biggest importer of Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1620/03]
The biggest importer of Irish beef in recent years has been the UK. In 2002 the UK imported some 245,000 tonnes of Irish beef.
Jack Wall
Ceist:241 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the effect that EU enlargement will have on Irish beef exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1621/03]
I expect that enlargement will broaden the opportunity for Irish beef exporters to sell a greater proportion of beef products into an enlarged European Union. According to the EU Commission beef production in the CEEC's decreased by 40%, to less than one million tonnes, in the period 1989 to 2001. Production is forecast to decline further in the period to 2009 to some 0.77 million tonnes, while consumption will remain static at one million tonnes. As a result net imports are expected to increase to 214,000 tonnes by 2009. The main beef producing countries among the new members are Poland and the Czech Republic, while Romania, which is among the next group of accession candidates, is also a significant producer of beef.
Jack Wall
Ceist:242 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the premium rate of pay for beef animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/03]
Jack Wall
Ceist:243 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the premium rate of pay for beef animals; the way in which this rate will be affected due to an enlarged EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1623/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
The main cattle premium payment entitlements per head are as follows: special beef premium, steers, –€300, €150 each at nine months and at 21 months; bull premium –€210; suckler cow premium –€224.15; extensification premium of €80 where the stocking density of the holding is less than 1.4 livestock units per hectare, €40 where it is up to and including 1.80 livestock units per hectare; slaughter premium –€80; the national envelope of €31.4 million is used to top up premium payments in the beef sector. The terms agreed for Enlargement do not provide for any change in premium rates.