asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the withdrawal of subsidy on beef heifers being shipped to the Middle East has resulted in depressing the price of beef; and the action be proposes to take to remedy the situation.

The EEC subsidy on the export of heifers to the Middle East has not been withdrawn. The EEC Commission has, however, reduced the subsidy by £6.85 per 100kg from 25 May. There is no evidence that this measure has caused heifer prices to fall. Indeed, prices for all types of heifers have increased in the week immediately following the reduction in the subsidy.