BEEF producers who suffered a loss of income as a result of the BSE crisis stand to gain £60 million from an EU compensation package, according to the Minister for Agriculture.
The package, agreed by the European Commission yesterday, was dismissed as "useless" by Fianna Fail but welcomed by the Irish Cattle Traders' and Stockowners' Association.
Mr Yates said details of the package would be discussed at next week's Council meeting with a view to its adoption in June. He said his "main objective" would he to ensure the aid was targeted at producers who suffered the biggest losses.
The Fianna Fail agriculture spokesman, Mr Brian Cowen, claimed the package would not compensate the farmers who suffered most from the crisis.
"Yesterday's increase in suckler premium of £24 and in the special beef premia of £20 will be of no benefit to 12,000 farmers who are in the specialised job of winter fattening," he said.