asked the Minister for Agriculture if his Department has ceased to purchase cattle for export to Belgium, and, if so, for what reason.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cessation of Cattle Exports to Belgium.
The quota system in respect of cattle imported into Belgium was on the 1st ultimo altered from the "national" system to the "global" system. Under the latter procedure the importers are at liberty to import from any country they please, up to the limit of their licences. The ruling prices here, and the fact that a bounty on export is payable, induced Belgian private interests to purchase cattle here in November and the present month. In these circumstances it was not considered necessary for further purchases to be made by the Department, even if this had been feasible; but in any event, the Department have no control as to the channel through which Belgian holders of licences make their purchases.