There is a margin in every area of activity. Farmers are in the private enterprise world and many of them buy store cattle. At present, store cattle are about 11.7% dearer than they were this time last year. Those without a premium are making around €300 with their weight, and they are making up to €1,000 if one can draw two premia on them.
I find it difficult to understand how farmers pay that amount of money for store cattle and expect to make a margin next autumn, but that is what is happening. Under the EU premia arrangement, farmers are now receiving a total of €540 per head if they draw all their premia. Cattle are making about €200 more per head than they were in 1999 in terms of premia.
There is a change in the Russian market. With effect from 1 April 2003, all shipments of beef to Russia came under a new quota regime and the total quota is 420,000 tonnes. The application process will be operated under import licences and the industry in Ireland is already applying for them. I expect that the present quota arrangement will not make any great difference to us.
Deputy Stanton mentioned imported beef, which is a straightforward issue. We produce approximately 500,000 tonnes of beef, of which we export about 450,000 tonnes. Some 245,000 or 250,000 tonnes are exported to the UK, some 90,000 tonnes are exported to Russia and 100,000 tonnes are exported to mainland Europe. We consume approximately 50,000 tonnes ourselves, 12,000 tonnes of which is imported, some of which is for reprocessing and re-export. If one has an industry producing 500,000 tonnes and imports 12,000 tonnes, this is indicative of a pretty good ratio in an open economy such as ours.
I have been assured by the Commissioner with responsibility for health and consumer protection, Mr. David Byrne, that the quality and safety of food imported into Ireland is up to the very highest standard.