asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state how many applications for permits to export fat cattle have been received by him from County Wexford; how many cattle did they refer to, and for how many have export permits been issued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Export Licences.
Dr. Ryan
The preparation of a return giving the detailed information asked for would involve an expenditure of time which would not, in my opinion, be justified. Licences to traders and feeders in County Wexford have been allocated in the same manner as in the rest of the country.
Is the Minister aware that more cattle are stall fed in his own constituency than anywhere in the Free State?
Dr. Ryan
Oh, yes.
The majority of those men are tillage farmers. Is that the way to encourage agriculture?
Dr. Ryan
It is quite true to say there is a big proportion of agriculture; there is also a big proportion of the licences.
I was at Enniscorthy Fair yesterday and for every 20 cattle at the fair there was only one licence.
Dr. Ryan
There should be one in seven.
The majority of the small farmers cannot get them.