Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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492. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is sufficient competition in the meat processing and beef sector here in view of reports of the proposed merger of two companies (details supplied) and a recent announcement; and the impact this will this have on the price the primary producer receives for livestock. [31556/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the importance of competition in the beef sector. It is critically important to have a robust and transparent legal basis for the evaluation of proposals for mergers and acquisitions.

There is a well established infrastructure, at EU level, and at National level through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, for the oversight of competition issues and for dealing with allegations of anti-competitive practices or the abuse of a dominant market position. I understand that the merger referred to by the Deputy will be evaluated by the appropriate authorities.

As for the price of Irish beef, this is determined by a wide variety of factors, including global demand and supply, currency rates, the extent of competition from other countries, weather conditions. At present the price of Irish cattle for slaughter exceeds the EU 15 average.