Mr. Ciaran Fitzgerald:

UK deadweight prices have fallen significantly, by 35 pence to 40 pence per kilogram, since last October. The UK market did not get the lift anticipated prior to Christmas and it has been quite weak in the relevant categories. Bull prices have fallen dramatically. In terms of the push-pull effect, nobody is trying to say there was any particular change in the marketing mix. The industry did not draw up a specification with Derrypatrick for an 18 month animal. We have been insistent with the Food Harvest 2020 implementation group that the specification for young bulls should be 16 months or younger and if producers want to sell older product they have to work with their processors at the time when they get the calves. We are more concerned than most about adding value and creating jobs in an Irish economy that has an unemployment rate of 15%. We committed to extending into the dairy element in terms of adding value to as much output as possible but we have been clear about the market specifications.