Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding some meat plants prior to 15 February 2010; if his Department is unable to verify whether payments under the new grid were accurate prior to this date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21975/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Officials of my Department carry out unannounced inspections of meat plants to ensure that beef price reporting to my Department is carried out in accordance with EU Regulations. These inspections aim to ensure that the prices reported to my Department are the same as that paid to the farmer. I wish to assure the Deputy that these inspections are on-going for many years now and the introduction of the beef pricing grid did not impact on this inspection process.