HC Deb 25 May 1994 vol 244 cc195-6W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of the European Commission's de-seasonalisation scheme on the Northern Ireland beef industry; what effect this scheme will have on employment at dead meat plants; what proposals he intends to make to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the de-seasonalisation scheme.

Mr. Ancram

The objective of the scheme was to reduce the concentration of cattle slaughterings in the autumn. The premium was paid in Northern Ireland in 1993 and 1994 resulting in a significant switch of slaughterings from the autumn to late winter/early spring. Northern Ireland will not be a qualifying region for the premium in 1995. If, as a result, slaughterings return to the traditional pattern in autumn 1994, employment at meat plants is likely to alter accordingly with a return to greater use of seasonal staff to handle the increased throughput in the autumn. The European Commission is scheduled to review the operation of the scheme next year. It would not be appropriate to make any proposals to the Commission at this stage.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated number of cattle killed at meat plants in each of the past two years; how many cattle from Northern Ireland went to the Republic last year to be killed; what assessment he has made of the reasons for a movement of beef cattle, stores and calves from Northern Ireland to the Republic; what assessment he has made of the implications of such movement for the viability of Northern Ireland dead meat plants and employment; and if he will make a statement on his proposals to bring this movement of animals to an end.

Mr. Ancram

Cattle slaughterings in Northern Ireland totalled 498,565 in 1992 and 432,660 in 1993.

Because of BSE restrictions, the movement of cattle out of the United Kingdom is prohibited unless they are under six months of age or originated outside the United Kingdom. About 3,000 cattle are recorded as having been moved from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland for slaughter last year as well as around 20,000 calves for onward shipment to other member states. There is no record of the movement of store cattle to the Republic of Ireland.

I am not aware that the movement of stock to the Republic of Ireland has had any serious effects on employment or the viability of meat plants in Northern Ireland and am not proposing any action to stop such cattle movements.