Cattle breeding subsidy and bull quality
The Minister said EEC rules currently permit subsidies only for artificial insemination, not licensed or premium bulls, and offered no assurance of a change while saying the matter could be reviewed. He denied that the Department sought to promote AI over licensed bulls, outlined the wider beef-cattle measures, and gave the AI subsidy as £4.94 for the first insemination.
(Limerick West) and Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will extent the breeding subsidy scheme to premium and licensed bull owners.
Comment on this
No. The relevant EEC regulations authorise a subsidy for artificial inseminations only.
Comment on this
(Limerick West): Would the Minister consider seeking permission to have the artificial insemination subsidy extended to breeding bulls?
Comment on this
It is something we could look at, especially in view of the disappearance of bull licensing as a way of encouraging people to use proper bulls.
Comment on this
(Limerick West): The time has come to stop looking; we want action now. Could the Minister give an assurance that we will get action on this matter?
Comment on this
I cannot give any assurance except to say that we will look into the matter. The use of AI is increasing at an extraordinary rate——
Comment on this
This is a factual question and the Minister was not asked to make a statement on it; he was asked for figures.
Comment on this
Is the Minister satisfied with the quality of our premium and licensed bulls? If so, does he think that the subsidy should be increased in order to accommodate that aspect of the industry?
Comment on this
That is something we must negotiate at EEC level each year. This year we have negotiated a subsidy for AI only.
Comment on this
It is £4.94 for the first insemination, but this is something that can be looked at.
Comment on this
I should like to ask the Minister again if he is satisfied with the quality of our premium and licensed bulls and, if so, does he consider the subsidy should be increased? Are his Department trying to promote A1 over the licensed and premium bulls?
Comment on this
No, I do not think the Department have any such ideas. We negotiated for AI. The EEC special measures for the development of beef cattle production in Ireland were negotiated as part of the 1981 price agreement. Those special measures came into operation on 17 May 1981 for a two-year period. It provided that aid would be granted for the intensification of performance and progeny testing of beef bulls, encouraging greater use of AI, increasing use of lime and encouraging farmers to make silage.