Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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690. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the crisis in the beef industry where producers are finding it impossible to have animals slaughtered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1660/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the price differentials applicable to animals that do not meet processor specifications which reflect the requirements of their retail customers. Cattle prices are determined by the dynamics of supply and demand in the marketplace and I have no function in relation to private commercial transactions between beef producers and processors.

In relation to cattle supplies, throughput at Department-approved plants in 2013 increased by almost 7% compared to 2012. Looking at the prime cattle supplies, steer and heifer production grew by 13% and 6% respectively but young bull output fell by 10% year-on-year. These trends reflect a market preference for steer and heifer meat and a concomitant lower demand for young bull beef arising from the increased availability of other prime cattle categories. Consequently, young bulls comprised 25% of the aggregate male kill (excluding calves) in 2013 compared to 29% in 2012.