asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he can forecast higher prices for pigs in order to stimulate the breeding of pigs now.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices for Pigs and Eggs.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he can forecast higher prices for eggs during next year so that the rearing of early clutches of pullets may be stimulated now.
I propose to reply to questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
While I expect that the prices both for pigs and for eggs next year will be remunerative to producers, I am afraid it would be too much to expect me to be any more prophetic. I would again emphasise that an important factor in this matter is the extent to which pig feeders and poultry keepers render themselves less dependent on imported feeding stuffs by growing more cereals and potatoes.
Does the Minister realise that at present prices pigs are not an economic proposition?