asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the nature of any recent negotiations with the British Government for the purpose of increasing the export of store cattle to Great Britain, and what the results of such negotiations have been.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Store Cattle.
No store cattle are being exported to Great Britain. Exports are limited to cattle for immediate slaughter at two landing ports, Birkenhead and Glasgow.
The numbers of fat cattle exported have been increased from 2,500 in the first few weeks after the ports were opened to 4,200 head during the last two weeks.
Have any negotiations taken place with the British Government recently? The Minister did not reply to that part of my question.
I think I might say that negotiations are practically continuous.
I wonder does the Minister fully realise the serious situation that exists in the southern area? There is a surplus of store cattle and we have a new lot of cattle coming on. The place is absolutely free from foot-and-mouth disease. The farmers there are very hard hit, particularly the farmers in the Bantry and West Cork area generally. The position in regard to store cattle is particularly difficult. I trust the Minister will make some effort to get the port of Cork opened for the export of store cattle.
I have not very much hope of succeeding in getting store cattle exported for some time to come. The British veterinary authorities have not yet agreed to let cattle inland for slaughter. It would facilitate us very much in getting numbers of cattle out if the British authorities would let fat cattle into Manchester for slaughter, but they have not agreed to do that yet.
Can we rest assured that the Minister will consider our position?
I will.
When will you have finished with the foot-and-mouth disease?
Very soon, I hope.
Will the British accept any animals except animals for immediate slaughter while we have the foot-and-mouth disease in this country?
I do not think there is much hope of that.