asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that representatives of the Meat Purchasing Committee are taking advantage of their position of monopoly to offer prices to farmers for fat cattle below that fixed by his Department; that second-grade prices are offered in some instances for first quality beef and in other cases prices falling between both grades with a refusal to pay more; if he will say what redress stock-owners have who are so treated and what measures he proposes to take to ensure that stock-owners' interests will be protected and the fixed price paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Beef and Cattle.
I am not aware that the prices paid for cattle by the Dublin Emergency Meat Supply Committee are less than those fixed by my Department. Extensive purchases of cattle and sheep have been made by the committee and the complaints as to prices, received in a few instances, have proved on investigation to be without good grounds.
In regard to the statement that second quality prices are offered for first quality cattle, I am satisfied that the classification made by the committee's buyers is fair, but conflict of opinion as to the quality of cattle arises in some cases between producer and purchaser.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the committee buy fat stock over a wide area of the country in competition with shippers of dressed meat.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, if, in order to protect the producers' interests, I give the Minister the names of certain individual farmers down the country, will he have the matter investigated?
Yes.