Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 February 2019
186. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter will be addressed regarding the movement of calves (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10124/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Quality Payment System (QPS) introducing differentiated payments in respect of certain grades of cattle at slaughter plants was introduced in 2009 by agreement between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).
My understanding is that any additional bonus payments and the conditions attached to qualification for such bonus payments are determined by processors and their retail customers. Such conditions include a limit on the number of movements of cattle in their lifetime prior to slaughter. These are commercial arrangements and my Department has no role in their establishment.
