73 Mr. T. Foxe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to alleviate the plight of farmers engaged in the cattle winter fattening system. [2237/96]

I am fully aware of the difficulties being faced by winter fatteners as a result of the fall in market prices since the end of last year. This fall has been mainly due to difficulties on the British market and the uncertainty created in the market by the reductions in export refunds during last autumn.