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Finnie fights to save Scottish beef herd
20/06/2001
Scottish producers have won important exemptions from the European Commission regarding Suckler Cow Premium Claims comprising a minimum number of heifers, Ross Finnie said today.
Commenting on the outcome of the Agriculture Council in Luxembourg, the Environment and Rural Development Minister said:
"The Scottish Executive fought hard as part of the UK team to win some concessions which will result in Scottish Suckler Cow producers being spared the most damaging elements of the package.
"Ever since Commissioner Fischler first published his seven point plan to reduce beef production in Europe, I have been fighting to safeguard Scotland's beef herd. Although consumer demand for beef in mainland Europe continues to suffer, the demand for the quality beef from Scotland's suckler cow herd remains very high.
"Negotiations surrounding this package of measures were extremely tough. The original proposals included a requirement for Suckler Cow Premium Claims to comprise a minimum of 20% heifers, so I am relieved that the agreed package exempts UK producers from this in 2002 whilst requiring a minimum of 5% heifers in 2003 only. Although our ultimate goal was not achieved, we ended up with a better deal than we could have hoped for."
BACKGROUND
- The Commission 7 point plan was published on 13 th February this year. It was intended to reduce beef production in the European Community in the light of consumer demand collapsing as the reported incidence of BSE in mainland Europe grew.
- The package agreed by EU Agriculture Ministers at the Agriculture Council in Luxembourg on June 19 th includes:
The Beef Special Premium (BSPS) national ceilings are reduced in all Members States, for the UK the ceiling is reduced by 57,833 from 1,519,811 to 1,461,978.
Member States are permitted to waive the BSPS 90 limit on individual claims subject to certain objective and environmental criteria. No assessment has yet been made on how this will impact Scottish producers.
Suckler Cow Premium Claims must include a minimum of 15% and a maximum of 40% heifers for 2002 and 2003 except in the UK where there is no minimum for 2002 and a minimum of 5% for 2003 only.
Suckler Cow Premium Quota may not be allocated from the national reserve in 2002 and 2003 except in the UK where the rule is applicable in 2003 only.
The ceiling for buying beef into intervention store is lifted from 350,000tonnes in 2001 to 500,000 tonnes.
The total number of animals qualifying for Suckler Cow Premium and Beef Special Premium is currently subject to a maximum stocking density limit of 2 livestock units (l.u.) per hectare. This is reduced to 1.9 l.u. in 2002 and 1.8 l.u. per hectare in 2003.
News Release: SE1492/2001
20 Jun 2001