A FIANNA FAIL claim that the Government had neglected the beef industry was denied by the Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Yates said that the industry's output value increased last year by 3.1 per cent while volume was estimated to be up by 5.6 per cent. "In addition, beef producers received an additional £60 million in premiums in respect of applications lodged in 1995. This represents a very real improvement in their income."
He was replying to the Fianna Fail spokesman on agriculture, Mr Brian Cowen, who moved a private member's motion condemning the Government's neglect of the cattle and beef industry and calling on the Minister to secure the full restoration of export funds.
Declaring that there was a crisis in the beef industry, Mr Cowen said since last autumn export refunds had been cut by 35 per cent. In recent weeks, proposals had emerged at commission level to effectively remove the deseasonalisation premium from Irish beef producers and reduce the 22 month premium. Throughout this period, pressure on the sector from the high price of the punt had cost factory jobs and added to the downward pressure on farm gate prices.
Mr Yates said he would continue pressing the case for restoration of refunds to levels which made Irish beef competitive on international markets.
Debate on the motion continues tonight.