23. 4. 81 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 111/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 1054/81 of 21 April 1981 establishing a common measure for the development of beef cattle production in Ireland and Northern Ireland THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (), Whereas Article 39 (2) (a) of the Treaty provides that, in working out the common agricultural policy, account should be taken of the social structure of agri- culture and of the structural and natural disparities between the various agricultural regions ; Whereas, in order to achieve the objectives set out in Article 39 (1) (a) and (b) of the Treaty, special measures appropriate to production conditions in certain less-favoured areas should be adopted at Community level ; whereas similar measures may be necessary on a temporary basis in other areas beset by special handicaps ; Whereas agriculture in Ireland and Northern Ireland is dependent mainly on livestock production ; whereas the raising of cattle and beef production play a signifi- cant role in the livestock economy of the area concerned ; whereas recent developments in this sector, including a substantial increase in the slaught- ering of animals normally kept for breeding purposes, have been largely responsible for the current decline in farm incomes; Whereas a comprehensive beef cattle development programme, empbhasizing both the breeding and feeding of quality animals, can help redress the (') Opinion delivered on 9 April 1981 (not yet published in the Official Journal). current adverse income situation in agriculture in Ireland and Northern Ireland ; Whereas the improvement in cattle breeding can be best undertaken through the intensification of both performance testing and progeny testing of beef bulls with a view to the selection of stocks bulls of accept- able genetic merit; Whereas the recent decrease in the use of articifial insemination of cows, because of its high costs, has had an adverse impact on the development of the beef cattle sector ; whereas special financial aid is necessary in order to reduce insemination costs to farmers Whereas the development of cattle production has also been hindered in recent years because of the poor quality of many pastures and meadows due to insuffi- cient utilization of lime; Whereas, in addition, an insufficient supply of good winter fodder is a further contributory factor to this situation ; whereas, a special incentive scheme is needed in order to encourage farmers who have not previously done so to make silage and thereby improve both the quantity and quality of winter keep ; Whereas, because of economic and budgetary constraints, Ireland and the United Kingdom do not have sufficient means to finance such a programme and, in the circumstances, Community financial aid will be required ; Whereas the foregoing constitutes a common measure within the meaning of Article 6 of Council Regula- tion (EEC) No 729/70 of 21 April 1970 on the financing of the common agricultural policy (2), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3509/80 (3), () OJ No L 94, 28. 4. 1970, p. 13. (%) OF No L 367, 31. 12. 1980, p. 87.