‘Plan puts beef trade under threat’
Party agriculture spokesman Denis Naughten said it is imperative Taoiseach Bertie Ahern takes a direct role in the matter as he said Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan had failed to gain an upper hand at EU level on beef issues.
Mr Naughten said the EC failed to protect Irish farmers at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks and it cannot be allowed to now fast-track damaging proposals like this measure by the back door.
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association beef committee chairman Robin Smith described the proposal as shocking and said it goes further than what was conceded at the WTO talks in Hong Kong.
“The EU conceded it was willing to phase out export refunds by 2013. But what was the point in fighting for a gradual phase out if the idea is now to undermine whatever value is left in export refunds?”
Mr Smith said the proposal damages the cash flow of international exporting companies, which in turn hampers their ability to buy farm products such as beef which can be traded on international markets.
“Pre-financing is vital for export refunds to ensure cash flow which is critical to the beef business. This is a complete overreaction to an internal report from the Court of Auditors. The EU beef management committee must resist such a ham-fisted move.” He urged Ms Coughlan to lobby other EU states to resist the measure.
