Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the actions being taken by her Department to ensure the future of the Irish suckler cow sector, in view of the drop in beef prices from the meat factories relative to European prices and the flooding of the retail market with imported low grade beef. [21927/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The suckler herd plays a major role in the social and economic well-being of rural areas and in particular areas of natural disadvantage. There is a need to improve animal welfare standards and generally to improve the quality of the national beef herd. With this in mind, I announced an Animal Welfare and Recording Scheme for Suckler Herds aimed at encouraging suckler farmers to adopt certain practices, which will assist not only quality and productivity, but also to underpinning competitiveness. An application for approval was submitted to the European Commission as required under state aid rules. Following consultations with the Commission services on the details of this scheme, certain modifications were made and a revised application was submitted to them on 15 August 2007. This is currently under consideration by the Commission. My Department is in regular contact with the Commission with a view to obtaining approval as rapidly as possible.

I am also aware of the importance of our live export market to the suckler sector. Live exports continue to be an important outlet not only for our weanling trade and indeed for the overall beef sector. My Department is, consequently, closely involved with Bord Bia in the promotion of the live weanling trade. Activities undertaken include showcase events for Irish weanlings involving exporters, importers, feedlot owners and media; promotional support to the trade including trade advertising and distribution of information and literature to potential customers in the markets; inward buyer visits to Ireland; and varied support to exporters including market and customer research, credit checks, translations, facilitating meetings, market information and study visits.

As regards prices paid for cattle, Irish prices have not fallen relative to those paid across Europe. Prices are down across most major EU markets in 2007. It should be remembered however, that prices in 2006 were exceptionally high. Irish R3 steer prices for the year to date have averaged 93 per cent of the EU average. This compares with 89 per cent in the same period in 2006. At the moment, Irish prices are running at 92 per cent of the EU average compared to 90 per cent in September 2006.