Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cattle prices here are projected to fall this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3877/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, cattle prices are a matter for the processing industry and the farmers who supply it. Cattle prices are influenced by a variety of factors and it is impossible to definitively forecast how all these factors will interact over a given period.

However, the key factors expected to influence the market environment for Irish beef in 2010 are the level of consumer demand and exchange rate developments. The outlook for the European beef market, according to Bord Bia, is that it will remain broadly stable in 2010, albeit with competitive pressures remaining.

In Ireland, some increase in cattle supplies at export meat plants is anticipated during 2010, given the fall in live exports in 2008. However, the strength of the weanling and store cattle trade in 2009 is expected to impact on finished cattle availability as the year progresses.