asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on reports to the effect that Irish processed meat products are at a disadvantage on the United Kingdom market because of the operation of the Monetary Compensatory Amounts system.

The Minister is aware that Irish beef canners are experiencing difficulties in the UK market because of an anomaly in the monetary compensatory amounts system. Following representations by the beef canners he requested the EEC Commission to rectify the position as a matter of urgency and he is currently awaiting their reaction. He also took the opportunity of discussing this problem with the EEC Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Gundelach, during his visit here last Friday.

The present problem in regard to processed meat products is confined to canned beef.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the maximum added value in terms of Irish beef production occurs where there is a maximum profit and, therefore, any disincentive to the export of Irish meat products in canned form is a very bad thing? In view of that, will the Parliamentary Secretary state when he expects to have a definite response to the representations which his Minister has made and which I welcome?

I am not in a position to give any time limit as to when the response to the representations will be forthcoming but as the matter is of such great importance I am sure that the Minister will seize every opportunity to try to get a final decision as soon as possible.

I am glad to hear that.