AGRICULTURE Objectives - Department of Taoiseach

3.1 Dairy Sector3.1.1 Quota distribution schemes will continue to target committed producers whoneed to upscale their operation.3.1.2 Give urgent consideration to the most effective arrangements for theprocessing and marketing of Irish milk.3.1.3 Continue to press the EU Commission to manage the dairy market, both inrelation to internal and export support, in a way that allows a reasonable returnto Irish dairy producers.3.2 Beef Sector3.2.1 Seek that the combination of direct payments to producers and the return onthe sale of cattle for slaughter brings a margin which can sustain the continuedproduction of cattle on Irish farms and in Irish conditions at a reasonableeconomic return.3.2.2 Encouraging the production of the type and quality of cattle required by themarkets, which can deliver reasonable returns, will involve the introduction atthe earliest possible time of mechanical grading as a replacement for thecurrent system along with increased emphasis on payment systems based ongrade. We shall press the EU Commission for the earliest possible approval ofthe mechanical grading system.3.2.3 Efforts by the Government to regain access to all markets for Irish beef willcontinue so that the necessary marketing options and flexibilities are availableto exporters to maximise returns to primary producers.3.2.4 The Department of Agriculture and Food and Enterprise Ireland willencourage the development of a processing sector that is best suited to thethroughput of cattle and the need to add maximum value to output from Irishfarms and improve international competitiveness.4