Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she is taking to ensure that a fair price is offered to sheep farmers at meat processing plants in view of the fact that the new electronic grading system is not in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9537/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not have a role in setting prices at meat processing plants. In the case of the sheep sector, I have noted that introduction of the new pricing system proposed by processing plants has been postponed. Trials on mechanical grading are planned for later this month and are being facilitated by my Department. I would hope that a transparent grid for pricing can be agreed between the processors and suppliers in the near future. Such a development would ultimately help suppliers to tailor their supply to the requirements of the marketplace.