Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 9, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (1)and (2), the Minister may make regulation requiring any or all of the following:

(a) Meat processing plants may be required to report to the regulator on each designated reporting day with the following information for each cattle type:

(i) the prices for cattle (recorded in euros per kilogram weight) established on that day, categorised by—

(I) type of purchase, including grades, and age,

(II) the quantity of cattle purchased on a live weight basis,

(III) the quantity of cattle purchased on a dressed, or dead, weight basis,

(IV) a range of the weights of the cattle purchased,

(V) the number of cattle purchased that were Bord Bia quality assured,

(VI) any premiums or discounts associated with—

(A) weight, grade, or yield, or

(B) any type of purchase;

(ii) the terms of trade regarding the cattle, as applicable;

(b) Meat processing plants may be required to report to the regulator, on the first reporting day of each week, the following information applicable to the prior slaughter week:

(i) the quantity of cattle purchased through a forward contract that were slaughtered;

(ii) the quantity of cattle delivered under a formula marketing arrangement that were slaughtered;

(iii) the quantity and carcass characteristics of meat processor owned cattle that were slaughtered;

(iv) the quantity, basis level, and delivery month for all cattle purchased through forward contracts that were agreed to by the parties;

(v) the range and average of intended premiums and discounts that are expected to be in effect for the current slaughter week;

(c) Meat processing plants may be required to report to the regulator, on the first reporting day of each week, the following information for cattle purchased through a formula marketing arrangement and slaughtered during the prior slaughter week:

(i) the quantity (quoted in both numbers of head weights) of cattle;

(ii) the weighted average price paid for a carcass, including applicable premiums and discounts;

(iii) the range of premiums and discounts paid and the basis for same;

(iv) the weighted average of premiums and discounts paid;

(v) the range of prices paid;

(vi) the aggregate weighted average price paid for a carcass;

(vii) the terms of trade regarding the cattle, as applicable;

(d) Meat processing plants may be required to report to the regulator, each reporting day information on boxed and/or vacuum-packaged beef sales, including:

(i) the price for each lot of each negotiated boxed beef sale (determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement);

(ii) the quantity for each lot of each sale, quoted by number of boxes sold, and

(iii) information regarding the characteristics of each lot of each sale, including:

(I) the grade of beef;

(II) the cut of beef;

(III) the trim specification, and

(IV) any age specification of the beef;

(e) (i) The Minister may establish a programme of swing price information reporting to the regulator that will—

(I) provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information,

(II) facilitate more informed marketing decisions, and

(III) promote competition in the swine slaughtering industry.

(ii) The Minister may for the purposes of subparagraph (i) introduce such regulations as may be required to establish a programme of swine price information.

(iii) The Minister may establish and implement a price reporting programme in accordance with this section that includes the reporting and publication of information required under this section;

(f) (i) The Minister may establish a programme of mandatory mutton and lamb price information reporting to the regulator that will—

(I) provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information,

(II) facilitate more informed marketing decisions, and

(III) promote competition in the lamb slaughtering industry.

(ii) The Minister may for the purposes of subparagraph (i)introduce such regulations as may be required to establish a programme of mutton and lamb price information.

(iii) Whenever the prices or quantities of lamb and mutton are required to be reported or published under this section, the prices or quantities shall be categorised so as to clearly delineate—

(I) the prices or quantities, as applicable, of lamb and mutton purchased in the domestic market, and

(II) the prices or quantities, as applicable, of any imported lamb and mutton.

(iv) Information required under this section for meat processing plant owned lamb or mutton shall include quantity and carcass characteristics, but not price;

(g) The Minister shall review the information required to be reported by meat processing plants under this section at least once every two years.”.

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