AN urgent reform of EU beef producing policies should be embarked upon immediately, the Dutch Minister for Agriculture, Mr Jozias van Aartsen, said in Dublin yesterday.
Following a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, he said the £500 million Dutch beef export industry had been badly hit by the BSE crisis. Exports of Dutch beef, including veal, had fallen by 40 to 50 per cent in the important markets of Italy, Germany and France.
There had also been a fall of between 8 and 10 per cent in consumption in the Netherlands. "It will take some time for these markets to recover, and at the same time I believe it is time to implement changes in the beef regime," he said.
Mr van Aartsen said there was some evidence of growth in consumer confidence, but he predicted there would be changes in the pattern of consumption in the future. He said he could not support a calf slaughter policy, one of the suggestions put forward by EU experts as a way of balancing the markets.
On the phasing out of veal crates, which restrict the movement of calves, by 2008, he said he would support an earlier implementation of the ban on condition farmers were compensated. This was sought last week by the British Agriculture Secretary, Mr Douglas Hogg, when he also met Mr Yates. Mr van Aartsen said Dutch farmers were moving to a method of producing veal in group housing, and veal crates were being phased out.
He said his main purpose in meeting Mr Yates was to secure the best deal for his country in the reform of the fruit and vegetable regime which, he said, was vital to Dutch agriculture.
Mr Yates said Mr van Aartsen represented a country which made the highest per capita contribution to EU funds in the Union, and his assistance was vital in the resolution of EU matters.