Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Are figures worked on with 40% accuracy through the years? Am I correct that with people producing for the Italian trade - for example, the weanlings - generally the cows are rated with one or two stars? That is generally what I have seen through the years. If we move the way described by the witnesses, will we produce a replacement animal closer to the milk or dairy sector with a smaller carcase? Would it be a smaller-framed animal, to put it simply? It would not be as attractive for the likes of the Italian trade as a live export. With regard to replacement of cattle, we have seen a problem detailed at meetings where an animal had twins and one had a different rating, despite being from the same cow. I do not know if that has been sorted out and perhaps the witnesses could further inform me.