asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the effect of the maize meal mixtures scheme on the egg and pork production industries, he will consider suspending it indefinitely.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maize-Meal Mixture.
I am not prepared to consider the suspension of the maize meal mixing scheme so long as the necessity exists for the absorption by means of this scheme of surplus oats and barley.
Does the Minister accept the fact that the effect of the maize meal mixture scheme on the egg and pork production industries has been disastrous?
No.
Does the Minister know that the export of eggs has fallen from £2,250,000 a few years ago to £800,000 now, and does he realise that that is because the people have given up feeding hens as they cannot make money out of eggs with the maize meal mixture at its present price?
The Deputy is entirely wrong in his deductions.
Is the Minister aware that since the introduction of the maize meal mixture scheme the per head return of a hen in the way of producing eggs is reduced by 4/10?
Probably if I investigated that it would not be right either.