Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will ensure that provision is made under the new meat plant investment scheme to provide facilities for farmers to clearly view weighing scales in factories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3543/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In keeping with commitments given in the Agri-Vision 2015 action plan, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, announced in November a beef and sheepmeat processing sector investment package totalling some €50 million. This grant assistance, which should trigger investment of some €120 million, is yet another clear indication of the Government's commitment to the continued development of a modern, competitive, innovative and market-focused food industry.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The word processor is a great thing.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of the scheme is to make financial assistance available towards the cost of the construction and acquisition of buildings, new machinery and equipment and, consequently, assist the industry in improving efficiency and competitiveness and, in so doing, not only strengthen primary processing but also underpin agricultural incomes.

As regards the operation of weighing scales, I would point out that officials of the Department carry out regular inspections of meat plants to ensure that weighing equipment is operating efficiently and that weighing procedures are being correctly carried out in a consistent manner. In some meat plants, farmers have a clear view of the scales read-out where the plant has installed a special viewing area specifically for this purpose. In some instances it might not be practical for the meat plant to install a viewing area because of building design. In such cases it would be a matter for the plant to decide, taking account of hygiene and health and safety concerns, whether a farmer would be permitted access to the scales area during processing of his or her animals.

Last year 94% of all beef produced was exported and this amounts to 516,000 tonnes.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister of State saying that there is to be a U-turn in February on the commitment given by the Minister for Agriculture and Food before Christmas or is the Department seriously considering providing viewing facilities for farmers as part of the €50 million meat processing development budget as indicated by the Minister? The difficulty with weights is the Department of Agriculture and Food cannot legally take a prosecution if there is an anomaly with them. Is it the case that officials in the Department of Agriculture and Food cannot take a prosecution because, owing to industrial action, officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are not calibrating the scales on a regular basis.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Metrology Act 1996 covers the last issues raised by Deputy Naughten, and Enterprise Ireland will shortly announce the details of the major investment programme which will trigger a total investment of €120 million in this sector. Companies may apply for grant aid to make their businesses more competitive and create greater efficiencies which will be for the benefit of the farming community.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Another U-turn.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There has been no U-turn.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Things are in reverse gear.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We are in fifth gear.