asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the revival of the cattle trade since the end of the economic war and the prospect of a larger continental demand for our cattle, he will formulate some scheme, such as the heifer scheme of some years ago, to help farmers to restock their farms with breeding cattle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revival of Cattle Trade.
The information at my disposal indicates that the number of heifers retained in the country for breeding is satisfactory. In these circumstances I do not propose to take action as suggested by the Deputy.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that many farmers in the country to-day have not half the stock they had six years ago, and have not the wherewithal with which to get them? This having been a very expensive year and a very bad year on the farmers—many of whom have lost half their corn and so on—if they do not get some help to enable them to restock their land, they will be down and out. It is funny to think that money can be found for everything else, but that no money can be found to help the farmers.
Admitting that there is a substantial number of heifers in the country, is the Minister satisfied that they are effectively distributed, particularly amongst the small farmers, so as to ensure the best usage of the holdings of all small farmers; or does he think that there is grave maldistribution of good heifers as a result of the last four or five years?
In reply to Deputy Keating, I should say that, generally speaking, the amount of livestock in the country is as high at least as it was six years ago and, especially, the number of breeding heifers and cows is as high as, and perhaps higher than, it was a few years ago. With reference to Deputy Dillon's question, I should not like to say, offhand, that I am quite satisfied about that, but we are looking into that matter, especially into the question of the provision of premium bulls and so on in order to see that the breeding of milking cows is improved in certain counties.
Will the Minister take steps to supply heifers where there are good bulls and arrange for the provision of good bulls where there are not sufficient, as opposed to the number of heifers?
That may be difficult.
But the Minister will look into the matter?
Yes.
Has the Minister not agreed to hand over the question of the condition of the farmers to a commission that will carry on for, perhaps, three or four years?
In the meantime, however, we must carry on.