asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is considering the introduction of legislation to enable him to regulate the conditions under which pigs for the London Pork Trade may be killed, dressed and packed so that the prospects of the trade may not be endangered by the employment of unsatisfactory methods due to inexperience or otherwise.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - THE LONDON PORK TRADE.
Mr. HOGAN
The question of introducing legislation to regulate the export trade in dressed pork from Saorstát Eireann to Great Britain is under consideration, and the Department are carefully watching the conditions under which this trade is being developed. The slaughter and dressing of pork for consignment to the Smithfield Market, London, are, generally speaking, being done in a satisfactory manner and, with a few exceptions, the methods of packing dressed pork for transit, whether in crates or wrapped in canvas, are such as have enabled the carrying companies to deliver the meat in good condition. Salesmen at the Central Markets, Smithfield, have testified to the good quality of a large proportion of the pork sent to London from Saorstát Eireann this season. In those instances where objectionable methods of packing pork carcases for transit have come under the notice of the Department, representations have been made to the consignors and improvement has therefore been effected. The Department are fully alive to the injury caused to pork exported and are taking every precaution for the proper packing and delivery of their produce by the few exporters who have shipped pork improperly packed and inadequately protected for transit. The Department will, if necessary, take further action to safeguard the development of the pork trade and to ensure that the reputation of other Irish produce is not detrimentally affected by carelessness in connection with it.
Are we to understand that legislation will be introduced during this session?
Mr. HOGAN
There is no decision one way or the other at the moment. If circumstances warrant it, legislation will be introduced. Up to the present the Department have taken the line of giving instructions to the consignors who have not packed their pork properly. That may be quite sufficient. Other circumstances that will have to be taken into account are the volume of trade and the seasons. The Department will have to weigh one against the other, and decide whether it is actually necessary to take compulsory powers to regulate this trade. Up to the present there is no reason to think so; but we are watching the situation, and if circumstances arise that make it worth while to do it, legislation will be introduced.